17-05-2025
Qatar Airways Cargo to help lions Goliath, Coralie return to nature
After more than a decade confined to a cramped circus cage on the back of a touring truck in France, two lions — Goliath and Coralie — are finally heading to freedom.
Thanks to new regulations phasing out the use of wild animals in circuses, and a great initiative by Qatar Airways Cargo, the majestic pair will soon arrive at the Animal Defenders International Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS) in South Africa.
On Tuesday, May 20, the two lions will be onboarded onto a Qatar Airways Cargo freighter from the Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport. They will touch down in Doha before journeying onwards to Johannesburg, South Africa, and reaching on May 21.
The flight, provided free of charge under the airline's 'WeQare Rewild the Planet' initiative, marks a major milestone in the lions' journey to their ancestral homeland.
'We're proud to support ADI again in bringing these two beautiful lions home. Moving animals of this size and stature is no small feat — from arranging suitable cages and ensuring their welfare, to coordinating logistics at every step — but it's a mission we're passionate about,' said Qatar Airways Cargo's Chief Officer Cargo Mark Drusch.
11-year-old Goliath and 13-year-old Coralie were rescued after a complaint was filed by France's Free Life Association against Cirque Ideal, where the lions had spent years in harsh conditions.
Despite the circus attempting to evade authorities, the animals were eventually located and seized under France's new regulations banning wild animals in circuses — a law that will take full effect in 2028. The lions were temporarily housed at Tonga Terre d'Accueil near St. Etienne, before ADI stepped in to offer them a permanent home.
ADI, known for its large-scale rescue missions in countries like Bolivia, Peru, Colombia, and Guatemala, will welcome the lions to their 455-acre sanctuary in the Free State province. There, they will live in expansive natural enclosures of up to eight acres, far removed from the tiny cages they are used to.
ADI President Jan Creamer expressed both relief and urgency.
'Goliath and Coralie have endured a lifetime of suffering, trapped in barren cages with no freedom, no space to move, and no consideration for their wellbeing. Now, they'll finally enjoy the sights and sounds of Africa, where they can stretch out in the sun, chase wildlife, and simply be lions,' he said.
Despite the flight being covered by Qatar Airways Cargo, ADI is still working to raise funds for the lions' long-term care, enclosure construction, and associated relocation costs.
'This mission will transform their lives. But we still need help to ensure Goliath and Coralie can live the rest of their days in peace and dignity,' said Creamer.
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