France’s Circus Lions Goliath and Coralie Begin Their Journey Home to Africa

After more than a decade confined in a barren circus cage, two lions named Goliath and Coralie are finally heading home. Thanks to Animal Defenders International (ADI) and a growing global movement to end wild animal circuses, these majestic animals will soon be roaming free under African skies at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in South Africa.

According to a recent release from ADI, Goliath and Coralie were rescued after France’s 2021 law to phase out wild animal performances led to the seizure of animals from non-compliant circuses. The pair were found in a travelling show called Cirque Idéal, confined in a cage on the back of a truck. Despite the circus attempting to go into hiding, authorities tracked them down and transferred the lions to a temporary holding center near St. Etienne.

Now, they’re about to begin the final leg of their rescue story. On May 20, they will fly from Paris to Johannesburg with Qatar Airways Cargo generously covering their transport. Once at the 455-acre ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, the lions will move from a 2.5-acre quarantine space to a sprawling 7.5-acre permanent habitat—an unimaginable upgrade from their previous lives.

These lions can’t return to the wild due to the trauma and genetic impacts of captivity, but ADI’s sanctuary offers a space to heal and thrive. ADI has rescued hundreds of animals through similar missions in Peru, Colombia, and Guatemala, making this another powerful step forward in their global Stop Circus Suffering campaign.

You can Support their journey by donating to their care here. Help us ensure that animals like Goliath and Coralie never endure such cruelty again—choose compassion, Support sanctuary work, and say no to circus exploitation.

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