The malnourished lion which was rescued from a circus is “fighting” to stay alive after his mysterious weight loss was diagnosed as being caused by liver cancer.
Male lion Jupiter had been transferred from the city of Monteria in the northern Colombian province of Cordoba to Cali in the western department of Valle del Cauca by the Colombian Air Force to undergo specialist treatment.
According to the Department of Environmental Management (DAGMA), who assessed the lion’s condition in the Municipal Garden Centre of Cali the animal’s malnourished condition despite his good treatment in his new home is due to the fact he is suffering from liver cancer and anaemia.
Video Credit: CEN/@DagmaOficial
Carlos Eduardo Calderon, the Director of DAGMA, told local media: “The vets’ committee confirmed that they found several cancerous lumps in his liver and he is suffering from anaemia as well as renal impairment. His medical condition is critical.”
However, Jupiter is reportedly shown signs of slow recovery and there is still hope that the lion will be able to overcome its critical condition.
A clip shared on social media shows the lion eating a piece of meat on its own and being petted by a carer at the animal refuge where it is being kept.
Calderon said: “He is a brave lion who is sending signs of hope as he is in a better mood, he eats on his own and he is carrying out all his physiological needs. He is fighting.”
DAGMA has also confirmed that the lion is under 24-hour supervision from a team of vets and carers, including its former carer Ana Julia Torres who has permanent access to the lion.
Jupiter had previously been staying at the Villa Lorena animal shelter in the city of Cali after it was rescued from a circus where it was reportedly abused and had its claws cut off.
Video Credit: CEN/@DagmaOficial
However, the Administrative Department of Environmental Management (DAGMA) announced in 2017 that the lion would have to leave the shelter as the facilities could not guarantee the animal’s welfare.
The big cat was transferred to the Los Caimanes zoo in the city of Monteria in the province of Cordoba on 27th March 2019. But in the zoo, his condition deteriorated rapidly before it was flown back to Cali on 27th February.
The lion eating in a better health condition 
The lion eating in a better health condition
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Story By: Jonathan Macias, Sub-Editor: Joseph Golder, Agency: Central European News
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