British charity rescues seven tigers from Central American circus after eight-year battle

Seven circus tigers kept inside cramped cages on the back of trucks for more than eight years in Central America have finally been rescued by a British charity.Guatemala banned animal circuses in 2018, but one family-run circus, Circo Rey Gitano, refused to hand over its animals and instead moved them onto private land.London-based Animal Defenders International (ADI) spent years fighting to save the animals - and now they have finally tasted freedom following a tense 18-hour operation involving police and government officials.Simba, Kimba, Jix, Chiquita, Nala, Africa and Kenia had been kept in makeshift cages on trailers since the ban was imposed.Two are believed to be around 20 years old, while others were just cubs when the charity first tried to rescue them eight years ago.The animals are now receiving veterinary care at a specially built temporary rescue unit.They will eventually be flown to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa, where they will have swimming pools and acres of natural space to roam.The charity has previously rescued 20 lions and tigers from circuses in Guatemala since the ban was brought in. Seven circus tigers kept inside cramped cages on the back of trucks for more than eight years in Central America have finally been rescued by a British charity Kimba and Chiquita, two of seven tigers rescued by Animal Defenders International (ADI), were just cubs when a ban on animal circuses was imposed in Guatemala The pair pictured as cubs eight years ago, have spent most of their lives locked inside a cageIt is feared other animals belonging to Circo Rey Gitano, including a white tiger and African lions, died during the lengthy dispute.ADI co-founder Tim Phillips said: 'This one circus refused to comply with government rulings to give up their animals preferring to keep them in cages in terrible conditions ever since.'It is beyond comprehension how anyone could be so cruel.'They refused to comply with the law and eventually parked up on private land to thwart authorities.'They've made it very difficult for us to rescue these animals, but we were resolute in our campaign to free them.'He added: 'The tragedy is that if the circus had surrendered the animals when the government enforced Guatemala's circus ban, the animals could have enjoyed their freedom.'Instead, they lost those years, stuck in small cages on the back of a truck in a field.'Two of the tigers are believed to be around twenty years old so time was running out for them.'Kimba and Chiquita were just cubs when ADI first began rescuing animals from the country's circuses.The latest operation involved police and government departments working alongside ADI to secure the animals' release.ADI co-founder and president Jan Creamer and other charity workers were reportedly jostled and threatened during a tense standoff outside Guatemala City.The rescue had to be kept secret amid fears the circus would flee with the animals.ADI organised transport away from the circus' base before moving in at the last minute to carry out the operation. Guatemala banned animal circuses in 2018, but one family-run circus, Circo Rey Gitano, refused to hand over its animals - instead choosing to keep them in cages on trailers The animals finally tasted freedom following a tense 18-hour operation involving police and government officials The tigers have been taken to a temporary rescue unit before eventually being flown to a sanctuary in South AfricaJan said: 'They tried everything possible to avoid giving up the animals, but eight years of extra hell for these wonderful tigers is now over.'They can now get healthy, swim, breathe fresh air and walk on grass free to do as they please, in a safe environment.'The charity has launched a fundraising appeal to raise $300,000 to fund the rescue operation, veterinary treatment, transportation and the tigers' lifelong care.Four 2.5-acre habitats complete with heated houses are being built for the animals at its South African sanctuary.