Released A Circus Puma Who Lived For Ten Years Chained To A Van

It is known that the state of captivity in which the animals used in the show live is one of the factors that most affect wildlife. Thousands of animals are taken away from their natural habitat every year to end up in the bars of a cage, enduring all kinds of harassment, just for the sake and entertainment of human beings. Despite all, hope is the last to die and sometimes the story of some of these animals has a different ending: today we tell you the story of Mufasa, a circus puma who was released after living for ten years chained to a van. .

What we want to tell you today is a very sad story but, at the same time, an example of how things can sometimes change for thousands of animals forced to live in captivity: when political interest in the animal rights cause and participation of hundreds of foundations that deal with reporting the mistreatment of animals meet, then another future is possible.

The scenario of this true story is Peru, a country famous for the great variety of its wildlife, thanks above all to the fact that it has a part of the Amazon forest within its territory. Unfortunately, it is also a country famous for the illegal trade in exotic species of animals.

The origins of Mufasa are not very clear; what is known is that his owner bought him in a pet shop ten years ago, when he was still a puppy, with the aim of making him an exotic attraction to be exhibited in his traveling circus.

As expected, the owner of Mufasa did not have the minimum requirements necessary to keep this type of animals and the poor puma was forced to live chained, in the back of a van, during the whole period of his long captivity.

Fortunately, the voice of the people did not take long to show their indignation, not only towards the specific case of Mufasa, but also for the thousands of animals who shared the same sad fate and the same abominable conditions of life as the puma. Thanks to this mobilization, in 2011 it was possible to pass a law that regulates the protection of animals and prohibits the possession of this type of animals for entertainment purposes. Although the approval of this law took place four years ago, Mufasa was only released in April this year, along with a condor, named Condorito, also used as an entertainment animal in another Peruvian circus.

Mufasa and Condorito were freed from the association ADI (Animal Defenders International), which managed to put an end to their harsh captivity through the “Spirit of freedom” campaign and was also able to carry out the necessary practices so that they could be welcomed in a nature reserve. .

At the time of the liberation, the van was in poor condition, dirty and full of iron objects and circus tents: an unhealthy environment for an animal. Despite everything, the animal seemed calm and, although underweight and malnourished, probably the deepest wounds were the emotional ones.

Although the intervention counted with the legal support of the law that protects these animals , the owner offered some resistance, soliciting the help of the local police to prevent the release of the animal from being carried out ; for this reason the operations to recover the puma lasted for a few hours, until the arrival of the Public Prosecutor and the riot police. Despite everything, the controversy only ended after the ministry spokesman informed the owner that if he continued to resist he would end up in prison and face several fines.

Despite what happened and although there is a law to protect animals, the owner of the circus has managed to keep a monkey with him, even if the ADI is doing everything possible to quickly carry out the procedures aimed at obtaining the release of this animal. This association is responsible for many other releases, similar to that of Mufasa, of animals that lived in captivity in some circuses of the country, thanks also to the help of a census carried out last year by the Peruvian government, which has speeded up the practices .

Today Mufasa is living in a reserve, to recover, and it is hoped that he can return to have a more or less normal life in the future, in a protected area where he can live in semi-freedom, since the difficult and long years of captivity do not they will never allow him to return to live free in the forest.