After years of being held captive and forced to perform in a circus, lionesses Tomoyo and Illiana can finally stretch out their paws and enjoy a peaceful life of sunbaths at the LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary.
The two lionesses had been born in a circus near Paris, where they spent their early years performing for audiences and staging tricks for human entertainment.
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According to Deidré Daniels, the public relations officer for Four Paws in South Africa, in a media statement, Tomoyo, who was born in 2012, and Illiana, who was born in 2014, were forced to perform until the Covid-19 pandemic.
When the pandemic halted performances, the lionesses were left in cramped quarters with little opportunity to exercise, leading to significant health concerns.
In December 2024, the lionesses’ owner voluntarily chose to retire them and transfer them to a sanctuary.
A collaborative effort between Four Paws, the Free Life Association, Tonga Terre d’Accueil and the Belgian Wildlife Rescue Centre Natuurhulpcentrum saw the rescue of three lionesses originally.
French Circus Lionesses Iliana and Tomoyo at Their Temporary Enclosure. Photo from the FOUR PAWS website
The trio were temporarily placed in the care of Tonga Terre d’Accueil refuge in France; however, Daniels said Pepsi, Tomoyo’s sister, did not survive the transition, succumbing to acute kidney failure, a condition often found in big cats living in inadequate conditions.
The next big move for Illiana and Tomoyo was on April 9 of this year, when the two were transported by plane from Paris to Johannesburg before arriving at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem.
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“They were released into a species-appropriate enclosure. Illiana and Tomoyo are finally experiencing the freedom they were denied for so long and have begun adapting to their new environment,” Daniels said.
She reflected on how, just before the duo were rescued in 2024, the team had welcomed Romeo to the sanctuary and described him adapting “beautifully”.
Talking about the lionesses, she said Illiana had been excited to receive her first enrichment, a cardboard box with lavender and paprika added in it.
“She spent a lot of time exploring the box and played with it until it was torn to pieces. They are also enjoying their warm beds inside the night house and really love lying on their platforms,” she said.
Daniels added that the team was happy to see how the lionesses are adapting, learning and rediscovering their natural instincts while exploring their surroundings and the enrichment they are receiving.