Rescued circus tigers to arrive in Florida after 18-month ordeal in Guatemala

Rescued circus tigers to arrive in Florida after 18-month ordeal in Guatemala

Workers for the California-based Animal Defenders International say they endured the harassment after rescuing six lions and 15 tigers from circuses in the Central American country following a 2017 law banning live performances by animals.

GREAT ESCAPE: Dramatic moment rescued tigers said goodbye to the circus

GREAT ESCAPE: Dramatic moment rescued tigers said goodbye to the circus

Keeping the animals healthy and entertained helps build their muscles and improve their condition, says the charity.Tiger cubs heading for a new life of luxury (Image: Animal Defenders International )While ADI continues to work with the Guatemalan animal welfare and wildlife departments to enforce the ban on circus animals, officials will be preparing documentation over the next few months so the rescued big cats can begin the next stage of their lives.For the lions, this will be a journey to a new 450-plus acre sanctuary in their natural homeland of South Africa.