Emaciated lion is so weak it cannot even stand

An emaciated lion that was saved from abuse in a circus is now so weak it can no longer stand after losing more than half its body weight in a zoo. 

Jupiter had been living in an animal shelter in Cali, Colombia, after being saved from a life of circus exploitation where it had its claws cut off.

But the healthy lion was transferred to the Los Caimanes zoo in the city of Monteria last year – where it rapidly dropped to just 14st and is so thin its ribs are poking through skin. 

Reports state that the lion which weighed around 47st when it was transferred has now lost more than 31st. 

Jupiter’s former carer at the shelter, Ana Julia Torres, said he now has kidney and live damage and is so thin she ‘could not recognise him’.

‘He weighs 90 kilogrammes (14st), he cannot stand up or move, he is thin, and he has his kidneys and his liver damaged, I could not recognise him,’ she said.

‘I felt a heartbeat and I knew I had to come and see him. I need to look after him so he knows his mother is here. We have a special connection as mother and son, a loving connection.’

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 welfare of the animal.

It is unclear why the lion has lost so much weight.

The Colombian Minister of Defence Carlos Homes Trujillo has announced that the lion will be transferred back to the city of Cali this Thursday.

It is unclear if it will be transferred to the Villa Lorena shelter again.

Holmes Trujillo said on Twitter: ‘After defining all the procedures with Dagma, the Air Force will transfer the lion Jupiter to Cali.’