The historic and record-breaking animal airlift, Operation Lion Ark, with 25 circus lions rescued by Animal Defenders International (ADI) landed safely at Denver International Airport on February 16, 2011. The Transportes Aereos Bolivianos (TAB) DC-10 with its precious cargo of lucky lions took off from Bolivia and upon landing in Denver taxied to the United Airlines hangar. ADI Ambassador Jorja Fox, CSI’s Sarah Sidle, and celebrity TV presenter Bob Barker, whose substantial support has made the project possible so far, were on hand to meet the historic flight.
The arrival and unloading of the lions was witnessed by more than 100 people, including print and broadcast media from national, international, and local outlets.
Cheers as the aircraft arrived were the perfect culmination of ADI’s campaigning activity that effectively closed down the animal circus industry in Bolivia – the first time this has happened anywhere in the world.
The lions were seized from circuses all over Bolivia in moves to enforce Bolivia’s ban on animal circuses (law 40/40). They had lived their lives in tiny cages on the backs of trucks, with hardly enough space to turn around, and upon arrival in Denver, they were transported to a huge new 80-acre habitat at The Wild Animal Sanctuary, where they are expected to live out their natural lives ... free from traveling circuses.
ADI President Jan Creamer says: “From this day, there will be no more appalling scenes like the ones we witnessed of animals suffering in circuses in Bolivia. This is the first time in history that an animal protection group and a government have worked so closely and systematically to eradicate animal suffering. As well as being wonderful for the animals saved, this sets an incredibly important precedent.
While this incredible public welcome event was being captured by onsite media representatives, the real work behind the scenes involved the planning, coordination, and cooperation of many dozens of people to make this historic arrival happen at DIA in a very short time.
Teams from ADI, DIA operations and public relations, United Airlines, U.S. Customs and Immigration, Airport Police, TSA, U.S. Fish and Wildlife, and the Wild Animal Sanctuary were just some of the many entities and organizations who worked in cooperation with one another to make sure that the recordbreaking landing and arrival for these fortunate rescued lions was an operational and media success.
Back in Bolivia, Operation Lion Ark had support from the DGB, SENASAG, the Santa Cruz Governor’s Office, Mayor Percy, Congress, and the police during the ADI seizures and the preparation to airlift the lions to safety in the U.S. The ON GROUP and TAB contributed to the cause by liaising and facilitating the means for ADI to successfully relocate them internationally.
In addition to Denver’s support and assistance with the coordination and logistics required for this massive international effort, United Airlines generously donated the use of its hangar facility for the arrival of the Lion Ark.
Email and phone communications across different time zones, international borders and countless organizations were critical to keeping everyone informed on the logistics of the arrival. The challenge was to adhere to the airport rules and security regulations to gain access to secure airport property.
The resulting media turnout and publicity provided everyone involved with a sense of pride and accomplishment.
As ADI’s PR counsel for this history-making lion airlift, I found that Denver International and its expert staff opened doors and made introductions to key agencies and authorities; put us in touch with United Airlines, which offered the use of its state-of-the-art hangar at no cost; facilitated airport access for staff and media; and worked closely with ADI’s onsite team to make the press conference a resounding success. And they did it with grace and professionalism, even when we were faced with last minute scheduling changes.
The cooperative efforts of ADI, airports, airlines, celebrities, U.S government authorities, the sanctuary as well as all the frontline staff who eagerly assisted are to be commended. The arrival arrangements for this massive history making airlift would not have been possible without everyone’s support and cooperation to bring it to culmination.
ADI’s Operation Lion Ark is the biggest rescue and airlift of lions ever seen. When the TAB aircraft touched down at DIA, those at DIA who helped make the welcome event possible were able to be a part of aviation history and enjoy some of the media spotlight. A true win-win effort all around!