Max and Stripes' first steps at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary

*We apologize for the quality of this video due to the inclement weather and poor signal, but wanted to share the animals being released with our supporters who helped us get them home.*
The 17 lions and tigers rescued by ADI from circuses in Guatemala have finally arrived at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary and are now being released into their wonderful new homes. (Apologies for the interrupted broadcast due to stormy weather. Soon after this video was taken, there was a massive rainstorm that hit cut out internet and phone signals.)
To help care for these animals for life:
US $: donate.adiusa....
UK £: donate.ad-inte...
To adopt an animal:
adiwildlifesan...
Our thanks to GreaterGood.org, Dr Lo Sprague, Dr Betsy Coville and Priority Worldwide, for making the Operation Liberty Airlift possible, to the wonderful supporters who have supported the rescue mission, and the Guatemala government for passing the ban. Together, we got the animals home!

[@laurelgirard8475]

I find it amazing that big cats born in captivity still have the instinct to check out their enclosure. They all do it! How wonderful to watch this cherished moment of freedom for them. Thank you ADI❤️🐯🦁

[@animaldefenders]

Yes, so true! We plan to post more updates on the animals tomorrow. Hopefully the rainstorm will have passed and the internet and phone signals will be back to normal so that we can post more videos.

[@KathyaKalinine]

Animal Defenders International Yes! Please post more videos of these gorgeous creatures. It’s so wonderful that there are people in this world who have the means to protect these beautiful animals. It truly brings tears to my eyes to see them enjoying life in a protected area and not in cages. Thank you for all you’re doing. ♥️♥️♥️

[@talacocheta9001]

Even domestic house cats are the perfect predator; tigers and other naturally wild felids absolutely keep their instincts.

[@seatownzz]

It's like I'm trying to watch this amazing event without my eye glasses...

[@Nitka022]

Just re watching it again..LOVE those rescues and their first steps on real grass and African soil....Your enclosures are just breath taking! Sooooo much space! Just wonderful....Thank you...again....

[@animaldefenders]

Thank you! Yes, we couldn't be happier for them - living in vast habitats within their massive tiger territory. What a difference from the cramped, barren cages that once confined them in the circus.

[@tristensolock171]

Many, many thanks ADI for the work you do saving these beautiful cats. You are their angels and I thank you for it.

[@animaldefenders]

Thank you Tristen! If you'd like to see more action from rescues and the animals' heartwarming stories, you can subscribe to our new channel ADI TV where we'll soon launch a new online series called 'Wild Rescues'. Here's the trailer for it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6LGh4uJYrmYmrs

[@bettyslawinski8265]

I just thank God that you are all there for these wonderful animals.....thanks for you to be giving a forever home to them.....I'm thankful to the people who can give you monetary support....💙💛💙💛💙🇺🇸

[@animaldefenders]

Thank you Betty! For more action on rescues and the animals' heartwarming stories, subscribe to our new channel ADI TV where we'll soon launch a new online series called 'Wild Rescues'. Here's the trailer for it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6LGh4uJYrmYmrs

[@AnneewakeeChampions]

Somebody get these people a real video camera, please.

[@Jaqen-HGhar]

I think it's more to do with the bad internet where they were uploading from not allowing them to upload at a higher quality. They mentioned they were having problems with storms and the internet and this was only uploaded a day ago. There are other videos on the channel that are much better quality.

[@eugeneflynn7435]

@@Jaqen-HGhar I'm looking. Any particular links or search words to offer? Is YT the only platform?

[@eugeneflynn7435]

@@Jaqen-HGhar Just found this. Same org (ADI), different release. kzbin.info/www/bejne/r52aaYyspZmLrtk

[@animaldefenders]

@@Jaqen-HGhar Yes, thank you. Unfortunately the area where the sanctuary is located doesn't have the best signal, and these videos were done as Facebook Lives. We do use regular cameras for our other videos, like this one of the sanctuary: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXiuqoFno6igd5o

[@animaldefenders]

@@eugeneflynn7435 since the video of Max and Stripes was done as a Facebook Live, and with the poor signal in the area where the sanctuary is located, the video isn't the best. We do use regular cameras for our other videos, like this one of our sanctuary: kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXiuqoFno6igd5o

[@stacyhunter2710]

Thank you for saving these beautiful creatures

[@katrinafarmer207]

Wish i could see it in focus.delighted they have a decent home .well done guys.

[@Nitka022]

Storms, bad connection, poor recording...WHO CARES!! I LOVE every minute of it!! To see them in their new homes, on the grass...in that wonderland! AWESOME!! Thank you guys! We love you...:-))))))

[@animaldefenders]

Thank you so much!! We're happy to share it with everyone!

[@HaRiBuH]

I wish this Big Cats a long Life in Freedom....

[@vickiemouse236]

You truly are Angels🐾♥️

[@laurapeek818]

Thank you for taking good care of the tigers 😄🐱😊😁

[@-scrim]

I wish all animals got help like this! :(

[@brogandaugherty-kelly1062]

God Bless you guys and thank you so much for all you do saving all creatures!!

[@TeresaPretorius]

Oohh...when Jen said 'they are running...'...how precious!!! That something soo basic was denied for them!!! AMAZING!!! THANK YOU...EVERYONE OF YOU MAKING THIS POSSIBLE!!! ADI....YOU ARE ANGELS!!!!!❤❤❤❤

[@zubaidakablan6782]

Thanks dear lovely .

[@lunkis3233]

Yaaaaaay that is wonderfull to se ❤️

[@careaboutnature]

For this monumental occurrence in these animals lives; why didn't someone see to it that they had a good camera to use to video this momentous day? Very sad, you can't even see the tigers in their new enclosure.

[@talacocheta9001]

I was thinking that perhaps they could do a fundraiser for new camera equipment, since it's important for people to see this happening, and we can't see much of what's going on since the camera is so bad. If people could see more, they may want to donate more.

[@revamp-ideas101tv7]

Nothing like being Home Sweet Home and Freedom for lifre on the BLESSED Land of Africa ,,, LOVE IT ! xoxo

[@frankieandcompany5860]

Wonderful! He is so blessed to be with you! 😎

[@lisafalcione537]

I literally hold my breath as I watch their first steps to freedom. And cry. Happy tears.

[@carolinejayes157]

Well done people ,you have my heart.

[@usmale4915]

Thank you so very much for saving these magnificent felines! What beautiful tigers they are! And thank you for the upload!

[@animaldefenders]

Thank you -- we're so grateful to be able to give them the life they deserve. If you'd like to see more heartwarming stories and action from our rescues, you can subscribe to our new channel ADI TV where we'll soon launch a new online series called 'Wild Rescues'. Here's the trailer for it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6LGh4uJYrmYmrs

[@bretthughes8679]

God bless these wonderful people who truly care for all of Gods creatures.

[@wendi8446]

How wonderful that they were rescued thank you so much for rescuing all these animals. I would have loved to seen them out in the pasture but I couldn't because again of your camera. People aren't going to subscribe if they can't see what's going on. Again thank you for saving these beautiful animals.

[@animaldefenders]

Yes, we're so grateful to be able to help give these animals the life they deserve. Apologies for the video quality due to poor signal. If you're interested in seeing more action from our rescues and the animals' heartwarming stories, you can subscribe to our new channel ADI TV where we'll soon launch a new online series called 'Wild Rescues'. Here's the trailer for it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6LGh4uJYrmYmrs

[@paulinefollett3099]

How wonderful to see them able to explore their new home. I don't blame them for wanting to get out of their transport cages. The smell of the rain would have been a welcomed relief.

[@patriciabilinkas3911]

I just signed up as a monthly donor after seeing all you do for these beautiful fur babies.😻🐯🐯🐯

[@animaldefenders]

Thank you so much Patricia for supporting the rescued animals!!

[@mogamonte]

Bieeeeeeeeeen, ME ALEGRO

[@FrankP83]

this amazing creature sounds like a V8 engine... =°) ...have a nice life :*

[@Nitka022]

and I bet, THEY do not care about the rain either! They probably love and cherish every drop of it in this paradise!!!...:-)))))))))))))

[@harleyquinn5774]

Tigers love water. 🥰

[@animaldefenders]

Yes, tigers do love water. There are 5 large pools that they'll get to enjoy there in their Tiger Territory. :)

[@compudario]

Gli eroi esistono! Grandi!!

[@sternschnuppe8965]

So great to Look at this 💞💞💞💞💞💞💞🐅🐅🐅🐅🐅thank you sooooo much ❤️❤️❤️❤️ Dady Tiger is sooo cute, He can smell INSIDE the Box that the freedom is near 🙏🙏🙏😘😘😘 amazing what you have done !!!! God Bless you All 💕💕💕💕💕May the weather God be by your Side 🙏

[@Turnbull50]

Well done

[@manyxtavinas]

"Long live the King"

[@talacocheta9001]

Thank you for helping them! Y'all are doing such great work. I turned off my ad blocker for this video, but don't see any ads running, in case you monetized it and weren't aware that they aren't playing. Will definitely check out the donation links that are listed in the description box.

[@logicalthinker8418]

Awesome!

[@animaldefenders]

If you'd like to see more action from our rescue missions and the animals' heartwarming stories, subscribe to our new channel ADI TV where we'll soon launch a new online series called 'Wild Rescues'. You can watch the trailer for it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6LGh4uJYrmYmg

[@cvogelagent]

I’m really happy you did this. On the other hand it would have been nice to see them.

[@pepperjack9078]

Thanks for the disclaimer. I thought I was having a stroke

[@Taurineg]

these people can take care of tigers but they don’t have access to a camera made after 1989

[@antonio52_]

Grazie ADI, grazie che avete dato la possibilità a questo stupendo felino la felicità della libertà, che dio protegga le vostre azioni - animal rights activist - Italy

[@MsMicia]

Translated through Google Translate: Thank you ADI, thank you for giving this wonderful feline the happiness of freedom, that God protect your actions

[@garyhendricks7303]

Give them a good camera.why didn't they have some cover in the center of enclosure.

[@msbravewyn]

Is this their permanent enclosure? I see some small trees.. it gets HOT in South Africa.. I hope there are more trees! I wonder what these cats are experiencing... keep us posted. thanks for the good work.. difficult to watch as the camera work is out of focus most of the time...

[@animaldefenders]

No, this is just their feeding camp (they were initially released there to allow them to get accustomed to their new environment). They have trees there too (just not in the video), but their much larger enclosures have trees, shrubs, platforms to provide plenty of shade. You can also sponsor a shrub from just $18/£14, a small black karee tree for $105/£80 or a large black karee tree for $302/£237. donate.adiusa.org/sanctuary/

[@lynw1623]

Animal Defenders International Thank you for that information, I was concerned also for the lack of natural shade in the form of trees.

[@gailhowes9398]

So happy they are finally not in such a confined space, they will enjoy the rain!

[@alfababy7038]

be nice if this was in focus.

[@raymondgartland6969]

Ungreatful

[@moanawalters945]

A good Camera would help. I do support want you do, but it will be good to see things happening.

[@jmo2104]

Love what you're doing here!❤ Sure wish the filming was in focus.

[@tammyspurdle9208]

❤🎉❤🎉❤

[@joecorreale1339]

🐅 🐅 🐅 🐅

[@supertaco22]

this is straight out of Jurassic park

[@mariaguillen7360]

🐅🐅🐅🐅🐅🐅🐅🐅👏👏👏👏👏👏👏

[@PacoOtis]

Actually it appears to be the operator of the camera that caused the terrible quality. This might be better as an audio presentation. Congratulations on your success and the best of luck to you and you and your critter friends.

[@izzy4yu]

2020 and still potato quality

[@旮旯北京]

The freedom seems still pretty limited.

[@equarg]

肉红烧 Better then what their previous cages were....and real gas too!!

[@旮旯北京]

@@equarg yes. Much better. A huge improvement. Anyway, these poor tigers won't survive in the wild....

[@songgbirdd]

肉红烧 which is most likely why their enclosure is small. not too many threats for now. unless im wrong

[@animaldefenders]

​@@旮旯北京 This is just their feeding camp, which is attached to their much larger enclosure several acres big, filled with pools, natural pools, trees, shrubs, platforms and many other enrichments. They were initially released there to allow them to adapt to their new environment.

[@animaldefenders]

@@equarg Yes, world of difference from the circus cages they were rescued from. This area shown here is just Max and Stripes' feeding camp, which is attached to their much larger enclosure several acres big, filled with pools, natural pools, trees, shrubs, platforms and many other enrichments. They were initially released there to allow them to adapt to their new environment.

[@michaelflinn7784]

Wonderful people doing incredible work. Pity the camera work do bad

[@animaldefenders]

Thank you Michael! Apologies for the video quality due to poor signal and inclement weather. If you're interested in seeing more action from our rescues and the animals' heartwarming stories, you can subscribe to our new channel ADI TV where we'll soon launch a new online series called 'Wild Rescues' (with much better quality using professional cameras of course). Here's the trailer for it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6LGh4uJYrmYmrs

[@yvonnesopacua9901]

Just pity not seeing, must be beautiful to see them put their paws for the first time on the en closer 🐯 that wasn't a real cameraman 🤔

[@MsMicia]

only 6 minutes of the show.... arrrghhhhh!

[@animaldefenders]

Sorry for that! We were just as excited to share videos of the animals' release as we're sure everyone was excited to see it. Unfortunately a massive rainstorm hit and cut out the internet and phone signals. We plan to post more updates tomorrow. Stay tuned! :)

[@glenngammon4215]

Get a foam cover for the wind over you microphone!

[@kirscheim]

have you ever focused a camera before ???

[@grai]

might have been an idea to pay for someone with proper equipment to film this

[@MsMicia]

Any money donated to ADI pays for more important things, like transport, food, veterinarian, medicine and supplies, the cam view is nowhere near as important as the cats. Just my opinion.

[@animaldefenders]

Due to a rainstorm, the signal was very poor, which affected the quality of the video. Soon after this video was taken, a massive rainstorm hit that shut down internet and phone signals. We plan to post more updates on the animals tomorrow.

[@captainamericaamerica8090]

WHY DON'T YOU START? BY MAKING A BADLY NEEDED DONATION.🐯🐯🐯👑👑👑

[@animaldefenders]

@@MsMicia You're absolutely right, the animals always come first. Thank you for understanding. :) We're actually still trying to raise money for the increased flight costs we had to pay to fly the animals 8,000 miles to South Africa. And now that we have 17 more mouths to feed at the sanctuary, donations received will go towards the animals' care to help them get the care they deserve.

[@animaldefenders]

@@captainamericaamerica8090 Thank you! Yes, you're right, although the animals are now in their forever home, donations are still needed to help with the increased flight costs we had to pay for a complex airlift (to fly them from Guatemala to South Africa), as well as to feed the over 40 rescued big cats we now have at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary.

[@medikos]

Time travel to 2005 ?

[@hayreddinbarbarossa661]

Great with animals, terrible with the focus function on a camera. All the apologies in the description and the actual video do not address for the terrible camera work. I find it humourous you're apologizing for things we neither care about or notice yet never apologize for the one thing that is driving all the comments insane. Seriously if I had the money i'd donate it to one of you guys doing a film production course so we can watch you do great work without going insane.

[@DirExxVM]

They're trying to show tigers in distance as if it wasn't 360p video...

[@rabitahjalil8424]

how old are they

[@animaldefenders]

Max and Stripes are less than 2 years old. They are the youngest of our rescued animals.

[@mariaguillen7360]

No se ve nada

[@Sn-wf6gi]

Awsome but too much ground and fence shors

[@Sn-wf6gi]

*shots

[@animaldefenders]

Thank you! If you'd like to see more heartwarming stories and action from our rescues, you can subscribe to our new channel ADI TV where we'll soon launch a new online series called 'Wild Rescues'. Here's the trailer for it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6LGh4uJYrmYmrs

[@animaldefenders]

Here's a video of the lions and tigers enjoying their Valentine's Day treats kzbin.info/www/bejne/oIetZ5uoeLtlnNk

[@JeDudeShow]

Why are they using an old ass vga camera from 2005?

[@incomitatus]

After 3 years I hope you bought better cameras.

[@miciomiao4746]

non si vede un casso

[@misty5979]

Love this freedom for the animals but it's hard to watch when camera keeps moving which causes the focus not good so you can't really see all too good..... PLEASE stop moving the camera. Everything is a blur like when you blur out faces. You can't see the animals so think you need new camera with excellent focus.

[@vika0194]

360p in 2020

[@InstiGator805]

Recorded with a potato

[@darcythegreat0077]

The quality of your video REALLY sucks eh; I'm happy for the tigers n alI, but I couldn't see a thing out in the field; so thanks for verbal play by play NOT, it's boring to listen to you explaining what we can't see! Maybe get a better camera; now day cameras are not that expensive. 0.1/10

[@MsMicia]

When you donate the money to pay for something as insignificant as YOUR PREFERRED VIEW, maybe they can do that... i would rather them take my donation and feed the starved animals.

[@animaldefenders]

The animals always come first. We did our best to share the moments we released the animals into their enclosures in real time, so we did a Facebook Live video. However the signal is poor in the area that the sanctuary is located.

[@michaelryerson1315]

Really poor picture quality. Simply unwatchable.

[@SuzetteEva]

Povere creature 😓

[@mariaguillen7360]

Gente atrasada los dueños de los circos y los que van a verlos

[@guybrown8971]

2020 award for the worst quality of filming ever uploaded to youtube ...I'd like to see stripes except the camera man is videoing a wire fence......

[@thejack9178]

Should be released in to the wild

[@animaldefenders]

Sadly, the animals have been so badly damaged by captivity that they cannot be returned to the wild. Many of the big cats have had their toes cut off to remove their claws, they are very seriously inbred by the circus and so have health issues because of that. They have also been forced to live in small cages for years and so have not learned the necessary survival skills. What we can do is give them a life as close as possible to what nature intended. At the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary they will have acres to roam in and the companionship of their own kind.

[@MsMicia]

They would not have a chance to survive, if put out on their own. They have never learned how to hunt, their defense mechanisms (claws, teeth, etc) and self preservation knowledge has been denied to them. They have no idea what a predator is or how to create prides or coalitions. If you look at Wild Earth Safari, here on KZbin, (Live safari drives, twice a day, IN Africa kzbin.info/www/bejne/Y3jdZYNjpciaoMk ), you'll see how the true wild cats learn, hunt, live and survive, you'll understand why these cats cannot return to the wild. Just their fear and neurological damage (mental, not physical) would prevent them from surviving. Look at where they came from. Imprisoned all their lives, in small cages, never touching grass, feeling the rain, hunting for food. Imagine yourself, caged for X number of years (all your life) and then just pushed out into the world on your own. Yes, you could learn how to survive, you have a voice and can ask for help... they don't have a way to ask for that learning.

[@thejack9178]

@@animaldefenders their survival skills isn't destroyed even if they have been born in a cage, they would most of the time be perfectly fine but If they have lost they claws and have health problems I understand that they would have problems in the wild. But I do think the enclosure should be much bigger wild animals have huge problems getting comfortable in captivity

[@thejack9178]

@@MsMicia I wouldn't say they would die because of lack of survival skills as they have a killer instinct that don't just go away because they are born and raised in captivity. A cat would naturally learn this anyway when they get hungry. When animals in captivity do manage to get out and escape in to the wild they survive most of the time. It's not common that predators escape but when they do they seem to survive tigers in India wolfs in Canada, a montan lion in Ireland and mink and foxes many places but yeah if they really have lost their claws and teeth I do understand that they would most likely die but knowing how bad wildlife do in captivity in every case possible they should be returned to the wild not just put in a bigger cage

[@lynw1623]

Animal Defenders International Well said, some people just don’t understand. I personally, as an animal,lover thank you 🙏 from the bottom of my heart .

[@sweettaterpie7009]

Free at last. Free at last. Thank God Almighty, they're FREE AT LAST!

[@MsMicia]

❤️❤️❤️

[@thejack9178]

Can you not see the fence

[@aldodelarosa]

@@thejack9178 The fence it to keep them safe. They have been de-clawed and I'm sure in the wild they would have a hard time. These are professionals and they would free them to the wild if they could. This fence at least is a better life than performing at the circus.

[@animaldefenders]

@@thejack9178 as Aldo mentioned below, these animals were born in captivity, suffering injuries and lifelong health issues to the abuse and mistreatment from the ciruces, including inbreeding (causing genetic defects) and having their toes cut off (not just declawed). They have no survival skills and cannot be released into the wild.

[@allmyragejones1]

ole nausene Are you not smart enough to understand that they cannot be released into the wild!? They were captive born and raised.

[@pikppa]

Thank you so much freedom fighters!

[@glenngammon4215]

A great expense to build this place & then to make the public announcement using a cell phone is like swating flies w/ a wet noodle!

[@keren7]

What a poor video making...

[@MsMicia]

True, keren, and we all wish we could have seen the action, better, but we got the best view they could give us, under the circumstances. Storms, poor internet service, etc, did hinder that view, but what we got from what we COULD see was to see the first steps of freedom for the terrorized cats.

[@elizabethczepiel5220]

"They (the brothers) are running toward each other." *Melting moment*

[@animaldefenders]

If you'd like to see more heartwarming stories and action from our rescues, you can subscribe to our new channel ADI TV where we'll launch a new online series called 'Wild Rescues'. Here's the trailer for it: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e6LGh4uJYrmYmrs

[@albertlatham3025]

Real freedom? Its just bigger more comfortable cage. Real freedom would be in jungles of India or Sumatra.

[@lynw1623]

Albert Latham That isn’t possible for animals born in captivity, they would not survive. Of course it is preferable but not practical.

[@cupguin]

It's not just that they were born and raised in captivity either, they have been declawed and some of them had their teeth filled down. Declawing is a polite way to say multiple amputations. These are animals who have been permanent maimed and who can't survive in the wild anymore. It's always better to be able to rehabilitate and release animals but sometimes a sanctuary is the best outcome.

[@albertlatham3025]

It's just sad what people do to animals. But kudos to the lady for trying to make the big kitties to have a more comfortable life. Just wish she would states the facts better.

[@cookiess5049]

This shit is unwatchable did they record this with a burner phone

[@cavendish009]

"Real freedom? With all that netting ???!

[@SERGIO-cr6uy]

Great stuff but isn't the wrong continent for a tiger? Sending tigers to Africa and lions to Asia?

[@Taurineg]

Sergio P. Well it’s a sanctuary. There are kangaroo sanitarys in the US too Also I think tigers existed naturally across Eurasia and Africa until around 1700

[@misty5979]

Can't see anything