'My name is Simba and I have heard them say that I am the King of the Beasts and the biggest of all the seven wild cats in Africa. I am mentioned more than a hundred times in the Bible and in the past fought with kings and noblemen. I am the emblem for the British people and the holy city of Jerusalem. You can see me in books and films all over the world and even on some money notes.
I am desperate and feel terrible and weak. I am in much pain, have difficulty in breathing and coughing up red blood. I am uncomfortable because of these hard metal things stuck in my lungs and between my ribs. I could not recognize the strange humans that injured me. I am feeling tired because I ran very far. Am I going to die?
After living well and in comfort for many years, I do not see a good future in this place because I feel lost and am missing my family very much. After my nice and easy carefree life at home, is this the way to go? I hear dogs barking excitedly and they sound unfriendly. They are getting closer. What will they do to me? I can't defend myself because I feel weak and in much pain. This is not the life I was used to before they dropped and left me here.
After they brought me here, I was hungry and thirsty. Although the freedom and the wide open spaces seemed OK for a few days, I would rather be back in my small place that I called home. I feel lost and lonely and want to go to my home where I was looked after, usually fed good food and admired. They always said that I was a big lion and had a beautiful big black mane. They cared for me when I was sick and I felt safe and protected.
Those humans were really very good to me and I miss them and especially the company of my two sisters. After they drugged me and after a long uncomfortable bumpy ride in a small box on the back of a bakkie they brought me here to this new place. They just left me and drove away and I was alone. I wandered all over looking for my home. There was no suitable food only some dried bones and I was very hungry, thirsty and tired and only want to go home.
I did not recognize any of the other animals in this strange place. I only wanted to greet them and be friendly, but they ran away whenever I came near them. I don't know why they were scared of me and so unfriendly because I would never hurt them. After roaming in this new big place for many days I found something to eat. Was that stinking donkey carcass that was dumped there supposed to be my last meal? Did they think that this meat was fit for a King?
But that was all that found to eat. I did not leave it because I did not know when I would have my next meal and who would feed me. The dogs are getting closer and I can't move because I am in a lot of pain. I hear a bakkie in the distance that is coming closer. Is it bringing some food, medical aid and a vet to help me?
It is getting dark and I am really lonely and tired. I ran a long way to escape from those nasty humans who hurt me. I don't know or trust those humans. Who is coming to look for me? Why did they do this to me? What is happening to me? Am I going to die? Is this why I was created? What is my life worth?'
by Hym Ebedes
Two animal welfare organisations will be “seeking an urgent legal application” to have six young elephants returned to their family grou...