How did the first transfers to South Africa of the felines of the former Santiago del Estero zoo take place?

Melena sunbathing for the first time in the sanctuary of Ubuntu in South Africa

This result represents a victory for those who have badumed the responsibility of removing the animals from the scene, still partial, because it remains to transfer two lions. The five animals were going to be moved 2016but everything was delayed: it was necessary to return to fetch a destiny, to make new connections and new procedures because to leave them the country and to enter them in another is not an easy task.

Early versions: how did the transfer of Melena, Tika and Tuna pbad?

So it was the journey and arrival of the felines in their new homes (Municipality of Gentileza de Santiago del Estero)

According to Infobae, the former guardians of animals, on the morning of Monday, March 18, the lion Melena and the tigress Tika For the first time in their lives, they walked on the fresh grbad of South Africa, saw trees and walked without thick bars between them. Both have left forever the municipal zoo of Santiago del Estero.

From Argentina, they left on Wednesday 13 by road to get to the Ministro Pistarini International Airport of Ezeiza, from where they left at dawn on Friday 15 to to go to San Pablo, Brazil. From this city, they left for Johannesburg, South Africa. The last section included other hours by land up to the Ubuntu shrine.

Refuge volunteers celebrated the long-awaited arrival, and in previous days, they shared with their social networks the step-by-step itinerary of the new guests.

And they celebrated their arrival: "It has been a long journey for Melena and Tika, but an incredible success. In the name of the sanctuary of Ubuntu We wish to express our gratitude to the Municipality of Santiago del Estero and, in particular, to Mayor Norma Fuentes for trusting us. with the honorable task of giving them their home forever ".

They also emphasized the work of the company that had the work of transfer through 8,400 kilometers, a journey that animals have woken up. "Melena and Tika have not been sedated during the trip," they said in a statement issued after the scheduled arrival.

"It's a different experience, a very strange feeling, but We know that this trip was the best for them that they had to pbad the test of 75 hours of travel. It was very difficult for the animals because they were used to silence and nothing else, "he said. Infobae Fernanda NavelinoMember of the Commission responsible for closing the former zoo.

The official recalled how cats came to the site. "Tika is the greatest, she is 18 years old, a lot of personality and presence.It was coming from San Pedro de Colalao, Tucuman.Melena was 8 years old and was kidnapped in a circus.She arrived in Santiago del Estero, she was in very poor health. "

The past On Wednesday, March 27, it is the turn of the Tuna Tuna who arrived Sunday at the sanctuary of Drakenstein, also in South Africa.. "She is 8 years old and she also comes from a circus, she is very strong, almost mysterious, so there are very few pictures of her because she is hiding, she does not like them." contacts with people, "says Navelino.

At the time of closing this note, Thon is still in full flight and it is estimated that this Sunday 31 will arrive at Drakenstein. Although the itinerary of the trip is the same, the land route to the shrine where he will spend his life lasts a day longer. "It is a very healthy and young animal," said the expert.

The release of the animals into the respective sanctuaries where they will live until the end of their days occurred a month after a video where Melena, the lioness, had been viralized. moaning and a picture of two rickety lionesses who, by the way, were captives of the old Colón Zoo.

After these publications that put the company on hold due to the apparent abandonment and poor health of felines awaiting transfer, city officials explained to Infobae what were these images talking about

"The video that became viral he was filmed in December 2018 by someone who saw the end of some of the procedures performed when we anesthetized the animals to apply the ID chip, "he explained to this media Federico Belmonte, the veterinarian in charge of the medical procedures required by the international authorities.

"At that time," continued the vet. the lion was recovering from the anesthesia and the sounds that it emits are unfortunately normal in this state. Starting in mid-March, the five cats will go to South Africa and do it separately, "he said.

At the end of April, or when the necessary papers for the next trip are ready, two more animals, Secu and Zuka, they will leave forever the cages in which they still live and where they are checked daily to treat the following.

"These are necessary procedures that must be carried out and must take place both in the country of origin and in the host country, as well as through the participation of entities such as Senasa, the customs and national agencies that check the status of animals, "he explained. the local press the mayor of Santiago del Estero, Norma Fuentes.

When that happens, a new zoo will be closed in Argentina.