BOSTON - MARCH 3 2025 – Today is World Wildlife Day, and to mark the occasion, FOUR PAWS, the global animal welfare organization, is highlighting the daily care work carried out on rescued big cats and other endangered animals in 13 wild animal sanctuaries and partner projects around the globe.

A ‘day in the life’ of one of our caretakers could mean health checks for a tiger, a root canal for an African Lion, or creating elaborate behavioral enrichment for a European Brown Bear. These lions, tigers, bears and other wild animal species that have been rescued from conflict zones and inappropriate private keeping conditions such as zoos and circuses. Their physical health is just as important as their stable mental state, which is ensured by species-appropriate standards and enriching amenities in the sanctuaries.

A main pillar of FOUR PAWS’ work are these rescue missions, largely what the organization is known for. FOUR PAWS prides itself on finding sustainable solutions to wild captive animals in need often involving working with local communicators and authorities, and developing sound rescue and care plans. Rescue missions often involve challenging negotiations with former owners and time-consuming paperwork. Once an animal arrives safely at a sanctuary, the healing process and lifelong care measures can begin, including routine medical procedures.

“The strong resilience of the lionesses who went through the misery of war in Gaza and Syria has been demonstrated once again,” FOUR PAWS veterinarian Dr. Khalil said about this effort. “In the last four days we were able to successfully perform intensive medical interventions on a total of seven animals to prevent uterine inflammation - a vital procedure for older lionesses. Today, all patients are well and ready for a treat after the exhausting surgical marathon. The experienced team of Al Ma’wa together with their dedicated veterinarian will now take care of the animals until they are fully recovered.”

Dental care is also crucial as it directly impacts the overall wellbeing and quality of life for big cats. Recently tooth extractions and root canal procedures were carried out on lion Lubumbashi, lionesses Zendaya, Dandi and Sheeba at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. Root canal treatment is a more complex procedure which saves the teeth and is not uncommon, especially for fractured canine teeth. In order to assess the big cat’s overall health, blood and urine samples were taken while under anesthesia.

“The standards in our FOUR PAWS sanctuaries and partner projects are at the forefront of wild animal husbandry. These include spacious enclosures, medical monitoring and care as well as natural feed and enrichments to promote physical and cognitive activity,” concluded Pfabigan.

Background

Every year, UN World Wildlife Day commemorates the signing of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) which celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The agreement entered into force in 1975. CITES works by regulating and monitoring trade through a system of permits and certificates for species listed under its three appendices, each based on the level of protection needed. The convention has been pivotal in preserving biodiversity by restricting commercial exploitation of endangered species.

 LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary is one of the 13 wild animal sanctuaries and cooperation projects established by FOUR PAWS worldwide. It is currently home to over 100 rescued big cats, including lions, tigers and leopards. They were rescued from private keeping, circuses, zoos or conflict zones all across the globe. The sanctuary encompasses a total area of 1,250 hectares. The land is also inhabited by other typical South African species that live freely like zebras and antelopes, as well as a wide variety of bird species that have found refuge on the property.  

Since 2009 FOUR PAWS, has a partnership with the Princess Alia Foundation (PAF). Together they established Al Maꞌwa for Nature and Wildlife in 2011. The sanctuary provides a regional solution for rescued wild animals and offers emergency relief to animals from crisis areas in the Middle East. Most of the resident animals come from illegal trade or were abused as visitor attractions in zoos.

Background

CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an international agreement aimed at ensuring that international trade in wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival. The agreement entered into force in 1975. CITES works by regulating and monitoring trade through a system of permits and certificates for species listed under its three appendices, each based on the level of protection needed. The convention has been pivotal in preserving biodiversity by restricting commercial exploitation of endangered species.

A home for over 100 rescued big cats in South Africa

LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary is one of the 13 wild animal sanctuaries and cooperation projectsestablished by FOUR PAWS worldwide. It is currently home to over 100 rescued big cats, including lions, tigers and leopards. They were rescued  from private keeping, circuses, zoos or conflict zones all across the globe. The sanctuary encompasses a total area of 1,250 hectares. The land is also inhabited by other typical South African species that live freely like zebras and antelopes, as well as a wide variety of bird species that have found refuge on the property. 

Al Maꞌwa for Nature and Wildlife

Since 2009 FOUR PAWS has a partnership with the Princess Alia Foundation (PAF). Together they established Al Maꞌwa for Nature and Wildlife in 2011. The sanctuary provides a regional solution for rescued wild animals and offers emergency relief to animals from crisis areas in the Middle East. Most of the resident animals come from illegal trade or were abused as visitor attractions in zoos.