Poachers kill two lions freed from circuses
Two lions that had been freed from circuses in Peru and Colombia have been killed by wildlife poachers in South Africa.
The killing of male lions José and Liso occurred at the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary.
The incursion highlighted how brazen poachers can infiltrate places like Emoya, which said it has 24-hour security and armed patrols and had taken additional measures to protect its property in Vaalwater.
South African police and anti-poaching units are investigating, said Animal Defenders International, a group that worked on the lion transfer from South America. The group said it is considering the offer of a reward for information leading to conviction, and that the other lions might even be evacuated pending security upgrades.