All wild animals should be free in the wild and not be kept in small enclosures. But unfortunately, we are far from this scenario as countless animals are forced to live miserable lives, far from their natural habitats.
Fortunately, many of these animals are being rescued in time, thanks to some kind and caring animal lovers. One of these kind people is Vicky Keahey – the founder of In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Education Center. And one of the countless animals that Vicky and her dedicated team have rescued over the years is Lambert, a lovable majestic lion.
When rescuers found him in 2014, Lambert was in dire condition. Out of hunger and thirst, the poor little soul was more like a weak puppy than a strong lion, as he should have been. The cub was illegally purchased by a callous man who kept it as a pet and then decided he didn’t want the wild animal anymore.
Angela Culver, communications director for In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue, said: “Previous owners illegally acquired it as a pet for their young children. “After a short while, the family decided it was not possible to keep him, so we were contacted asking if we could take him away, which of course made us very happy.”
When he arrived at the rescue center, Lambert was confused and scared, but he soon won everyone’s heart with his habit. Apparently, the cub found comfort in a blanket, and he couldn’t sleep without it. Vicky said: “We’ve heard from previous owners that he slept in bed with his grandfather. “So I got him a blanket, went inside the enclosure, and put the blanket in one of the corners. He curled up on that blanket and he went to bed right away. Since then, I always cover him with blankets.”
Thanks to the rescue team efforts, Lambert has made a full recovery and now he’s unrecognizable. But despite getting back on track, the now-adult lion still lives at the center as he would not survive in the wild. Even though he’s now a fully grown lion, Lambert still needs a blanket to snuggle in it before going to bed.
“He has 7,000 sq. ft. worth of space to run around in, which includes a covered den area for shade and protection from the weather and a sunny, grassy playground with the pool he loves to play in,” Angela Culver said. “He is just like any other 2-year-old lion in that he is active and playful and is full of attitude. You know where you stand with him.”
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