Sinbad
THE LITTLE LION THAT COULDSinbad is a young lion who lives in Born Free's big-cat sanctuary at Shamwari Wildlife Reserve in southern South Africa. Here in his bush enclosure, bigger than a football field, Sinbad can at last enjoy life where he belongs: in Africa.
A Cramped BeginningFrom a photographer's prop to an attraction in a restaurant, Sinbad eventually ended up in a cramped cage in Bacau Zoo in eastern Romania. The authorities wanted a better life for him but simply did not have the resources. In the zoo, Sinbad was kept on a dirt floor, which turned into mud in wet weather, making his stunning, long mane sodden and matted. He gazed bleakly through the rusty wire or paced back and forth, with only an old log and a car tire for entertainment. Wild lions enjoy vast territories in the African savannah, living on their instincts and hunting for prey in groups. Imagine Sinbad's frustration, being cooped up in a tiny cage.
Journey to a New HomeBorn Free was determined to help Sinbad get proper food, a new home and loving care for life. Together with colleagues at the Association for the Protection of Animals in Romania, Born Free rescued Sinbad in July 2007. When Born Free rescued the little lion, Sinbad should have been in the prime of his life. But at just 32 inches long and 275 pounds, he was half the size of a normal lion, and his teeth were broken and worn.
When he first arrived at his new home in Shamwari, the nervous little lion stepped out cautiously from his traveling crate, treading on grass for perhaps the very first time. He looked around in disbelief, then built up courage and gingerly began to explore his new home.
Sinbad has settled in remarkably well and quickly at Shamwari. He will never be able to survive in the wild, but at least Born Free can give him a little piece of Africa of his very own. He loves both basking in the sunshine and lying in the shade of the bushes.
Sadly, lions and other big cats face many threats due to human activity. Captive animals are exploited in zoos and circuses; wild cats are killed for their beautiful fur and body parts. By adopting him, Brady Communications is helping provide Sinbad's daily care and protecting big cats worldwide.