Corpses of 20 lion and tiger cubs found in freezer at breeding facility where tourists take selfies with big cats
Warning: Distressing content
SOUTH AFRICA: In a surprise inspection, 20 dead lions and tigers have been found stored in a freezer at an infamous big cat breeding farm in South Africa.
Sickening images from the inspection at Jan Steinman's Pienika Farm in Lichtenburg shed light on the horrifying conditions at farms where big cats are bred for petting or for trophy hunting.
The inspectors found two lion cubs convulsing in cages at the farm. Their front and back legs had been paralyzed and their heads were bobbing uncontrollably. The lions had to be euthanized by a vet who believed that they had an incurable neurological disorder.
Another dead lion cub was also discovered in a storeroom.
NSPCA (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals) Inspector Douglas Wolhuter told IOL, "The picture of this poor dead lion cub tells a story in its own right."
Wolhuter had pointed to pressure sores on the knees and ankles of the cubs.
He added that it is very possible that the cubs could not get up and would have been unable to find food, drink, or shelter.
"It would have taken days for this cub to die, an unnecessary, slow and cruel death," he revealed.
During NSPCA's inspection of the same farm in April, investigators discovered 108 neglected lions, caracal, tigers, and leopards, who were all subjected to appalling conditions.
They then charged the owner of the farm under the Animal Protection Act in May. They also want additional charges to be levied against them.
The NSPCA will also be carrying out post mortems on five of the cubs in order to try and find out what was done to them.
Just like the incapacitated cubs, four lions who had lost the ability to walk were found at the farm and sent for treatment.
The cause behind the injured lions has not been revealed though vets think it may be because of some toxin or a genetic condition due to inbreeding.
Lion breeding farms such as these are referred to as "snuggle scams" as they supply tourists with animals to take pictures with.