The veterinary team from FOUR PAWS had barely any time to breathe in Argentina over the past few weeks. They performed emergency surgeries, treated infections, corrected ingrown claws, and attended to dental and kidney diseases. Two lions even had to undergo partial tail amputations due to severe infections.
"We identified significant health problems in almost all animals. The treatment of a tigress, whose painfully ingrown claw we were able to surgically correct, was particularly moving. The immediate change in behaviour after pain relief shows why our work is so important," explains Dr. Amir Khalil, head of the emergency mission at FOUR PAWS.
In addition to medical care, the team also improved housing conditions on the ground: enclosures were repaired, animals were regrouped, and they were provided with proper dietary plans.
Next Steps Initiated Luciana D’Abramo, Chief Programme Officer at FOUR PAWS, emphasises: "Thanks to the excellent cooperation with the Argentine authorities, we can now initiate the next steps. The two bears, Gordo and Florencia, will be relocated to our BEAR SANCTUARY Belitsa in Bulgaria, where they will finally receive the care and space needed for their recovery. We are working on long-term solutions for the big cats — the current conditions are utterly unsuitable."
The mission is part of a memorandum of understanding between FOUR PAWS and the Argentine government. The goal is to end the private ownership and commercial trade of big cats in the country and provide the animals with a future in appropriately maintained facilities.
Media Contact:
Oliver Loga
Press Manager Switzerland
FOUR PAWS – Foundation for Animal Welfare
Altstetterstrasse 124
8048 Zurich
Tel. +41 43 311 80 90
presse@vier-pfoten.ch
www.vier-pfoten.ch
Image rights: FOUR PAWS