Up until recently, Govani the lion lived in a rusty cage just 2x2 meters big as part of a traveling circus. But confinement wasn't his only source of suffering. Govani's claws and fangs were removed, and he was so skinny, sick and so stressed that he ended up devouring his own tail.
Luckily, Govani has a new lease on life, thanks to the AAP (Animal Advocacy and Protection Association) who rescued him. Now, he can recover slowly in his new home: an open space with trees and swimming spots where he will become a healthy and happy lion again.
Unfortunately, in many European countries it's still perfectly legal for traveling circuses to use wild animals in their shows. More than 1000 are still being exploited throughout the EU. These animals are treated in a cruel and degrading way, confined in small cages and mutilated to make them less dangerous.
Step by step, circuses with wild animals are being banned throughout Europe, but there is much still to be done. You can help the activists who are rescuing circus animals with a small gesture by signing this petition asking the European Commission to ban circuses with animals throughout the European Union.
