Two rescued lionesses are settling into their new home at the Born Free Foundation’s Big Cat Rescue and Education Centre at Shamwari Game Reserve, South Africa, following an epic 6,000 mile journey across two continents earlier this week. Eight year old sisters, Maggie and Sonja, first travelled from Natuurhulpcentrum (a wild animal rescue and rehabilitation centre) in Belguim, to London’s Heathrow airport early on Tuesday 20th January.At Heathrow they were met by Singer, TV Star and Born Free Patron, Peter Andre, who watched them being safely loaded onto the inaugural Kenya Airways Dreamliner flight to Johannesburg via Nairobi.  

Peter, who has supported Born Free’s compassionate conservation work for a number of years, was overwhelmed by the opportunity to get close to these majestic creatures, as they waited in their crates at the airport.   He said: “What an incredible day! A once-in-a-lifetime chance to be involved in a project which will make a huge difference to these animals’ lives. It’s heart breaking to think that Maggie and Sonja spent the first years of their lives in misery, but I’m absolutely delighted that they will now be enjoying a more natural environment in Africa, thanks to the Born Free Foundation and their fantastic supporters around the world.”  Katrina Hanson, Cargo Manager Kenya Airways, added  “We were thrilled to offer our services to carry this amazing, unique cargo.  With the expertise of our support teams and our African network it is great we made this logistically happen for Maggie and Sonja.”    

After touching down in Johannesburg on Wednesday 21st January, the sisters’ were handed into the expert care of Land Rover Experience for the last leg of the journey to their new home at the award winning Shamwari Game Reserve in Port Elizabeth,. Maggie and Sonja travelled in specially arranged trailers, towed by Land Rover Discovery vehicles, and once they had arrived, they were released straight into their large natural enclosure, where they were introduced to the sights and sounds of Africa for the first time.  Shamwari Wildlife Director and vet, Dr Johan Joubert, and Born Free’s Big Cat Expert Tony Wiles, were present at every step of the journey.   

Dr Joubert said,“ I am very satisfied with the rescue and translocation of the lionesses Maggie and Sonja from the Natuurhulpcentrum in Belgium to Shamwari Game Reserve. Although it was a long journey for them, they travelled well. It was snowing when they left, two days ago, and now they are adapting to a hot African summer’s day. They experienced natural grass and trees today for the first time in their life. I am sure they have a good life ahead of them here at Shamwari Game Reserve.”  

Tony, who has more than 20years’ experience working with Big Cats, is pleased that the lionesses are already growing in confidence in their new environment. He says: “These are relatively young cats, and so despite being a bit tired from the journey, they should adapt quickly to their new surroundings. Already they are exploring the enclosure’s natural features and taking the opportunity to stretch their legs and bask in the southern hemisphere’s summer sunshine.”   He added: “After spending most of their lives in cramped and squalid conditions, it feels great to be able to offer these girls a safe, happy and natural place to live out the rest of their lives. That’s what it’s all about.” Richard Gouverneur, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa was elated with the news of Maggie and Sonja’s safe relocation. He said, “It’s difficult to imagine the hardships faced by these lions, and sad that people could even do this to animals meant to roam free. Land Rover is proud to have been part of their 6 000 mile journey that now sees these majestic animals set paw on African soil, where they’ll have a second chance to live out their days in a nurturing and natural environment.”

Richard Gouverneur, Managing Director of Jaguar Land Rover South Africa and sub-Sahara Africa was elated with the news of Maggie and Sonja’s safe relocation. He said, “It’s difficult to imagine the hardships faced by these lions, and sad that people could even do this to animals meant to roam free. Land Rover is proud to have been part of their 6 000 mile journey that now sees these majestic animals set paw on African soil, where they’ll have a second chance to live out their days in a nurturing and natural environment.”To find out more about Maggie and Sonja’s new life, meet some of Born Free’s other rescued animals, or make a donation to enable the Foundation to continue its work with some of the world’s most vulnerable animals, visit: www.bornfree.org.uk . The lionesses move to South Africa was supported by Kenya Airways and Land Rover.  

Photographs:   © Raw Cut / Alan Strutt / BFF          

Notes to Editors:   About Born Free   The Born Free Foundation is a dynamic international wildlife charity, devoted to compassionate conservation and animal welfare.  Born Free takes action worldwide to protect threatened species and stop individual animal suffering. Born Free believes wildlife belongs in the wild and works to phase out zoos. We rescue animals from lives of misery in tiny cages and give them lifetime care.   Born Free protects lions, elephants, tigers, gorillas, wolves, polar bears, dolphins, marine turtles and many more species in their natural habitat, working with local communities to help people and wildlife live together without conflict.  Our high-profile campaigns change public attitudes, persuade decision-makers and get results. 

Every year, Born Free helps hundreds of thousands of animals worldwide. For more information about Born Free please visit: www.bornfree.org.uk    About Shamwari Game Reserve:  The world renowned Shamwari Group has been a pioneering leader in wildlife safaris, conservation and hospitality for over 20 years offering three diverse properties in South Africa - the malaria-free Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape, Sanbona Wildlife Reserve outside Cape Town and Jock Safari Lodge in the Kruger National Park.   Shamwari Group presents guests with the very best that Africa has to offer whilst conserving a vanishing way of life.  

About Kenya Airways: Kenya Airways, a member of the Sky Team Alliance, is a leading African airline flying to over 60 destinations worldwide, 40 of which are in Africa and carries over three million passengers annually. It continues to modernize its fleet with its 45 aircraft fleet being one of the most modern in Africa.The on-board service is renowned and the lie-flat business class seat on the wide-body aircraft is consistently voted among the world’s top 10. In 2010, it scooped top awards at the Africa Investor (Ai) Tourism Investor Awards and was declared the Business Airline of the Year in Africa. Kenya Airways takes pride for being in the fore front of connecting Africa to the world and the World to Africa through its hub Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. For more information, please visit www.kenya-airways.com   

About Land Rover and Born Free:  Since 1948 Land Rover has been manufacturing authentic 4x4s that represent true 'breadth of capability' across the model range. Defender, Freelander, Discovery, Discovery Sport, Range Rover Sport, Range Rover and Range Rover Evoque each define the world's 4x4 sectors, with 80% of this model range exported to over 170 countries.   In 2013 Land Rover agreed a major new sponsorship with the Born Free Foundation, continuing its successful Global Conservation Partnership first forged in 2002 and confirming Born Free as its primary global conservation partner. The origin of Land Rover's historic association with Born Free goes back to the beginning where Land Rover’s were featured in 1966 in the classic wildlife film Born Free, starring the Foundation's founders, Virginia McKenna and Bill Travers.

The requirement was then as it is now to rely on the Land Rover vehicles to reach the wildlife in the most remote of locations. Land Rover is committed to continuing to provide the Foundation with practical help by supplying vehicles as well as financial backing for the next five years, reflecting its integrated approach to building global sustainability. The sponsorship will see Land Rover vehicles deployed by the Born Free Foundation in Kenya, India and South Africa where they support the charity's vital field work.Additional support will assist conservation and wild animal welfare initiatives in other parts of Africa and southern Asia while in the UK, where the charity is based, Born Free Land Rovers assist with logistical support and charity ambassador duties.  

About Natuurhulpcentrum: The Natuurhulpcentrum Opglabbeek (Wildlife Rescue) is a centre for the rescue and rehabilitation of sick or injured wild animals.Over the years, the Natuurhulpcentrum has become increasingly involved in temporarily hosting exotic animals coming from all over Europe, that were either seized by police or abandoned by their keepers. The Natuurhulpcentrum Opglabbeek (Wildlife Rescue) aims for all wild animals that it cares for to be released back into the wild. With regard to exotic animals, the Natuurhulpcentrum Opglabbeek will, most often in co-operation with other organisations, seek to re-home the animal in a facility that can offer life-long care in a setting best adapted to that animal.

Visit: www.natuurhulpcentrum.be