Emaciated lions at breeding farm began eating each other when left to starve in ‘worst animal cruelty case ever seen’

A PRIDE of emaciated lions began eating each other at a breeding farm in what has been described as the “worst animal cruelty case ever seen.” Thirty captive lions were left to starve after a fire broke out at their compound in the Free State province, South Africa. Bloemfontein SPCAThe starving lions started eating each other[/caption] Bloemfontein SPCAThe animals were found in horrible condition with burnt paws[/caption] Bloemfontein SPCAOfficers said it was the worst case of animal cruelty they had ever seen[/caption] Welfare officers said that the 59 lions and three tigers that were kept at the breeding centre lived in horrific conditions, reported The Times. The animals had already gone without food for some time before the fire with officers claiming that one lion was killed and eaten by three of its brothers. After getting a court order to enter the property, officers found the animals in terrible condition, famished, with burnt faces and paws, barely being able to stand. Reinet Meyer, an inspector from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), said: “What we found shocked us to the bone. As we entered the lion camps, we could only see the destruction left behind by the torturing flames. “We arrived at the lion enclosures and our hearts broke and our souls wept. “We saw that the lions couldn’t escape the blazing fires and the inhalation of smothering fumes were evident. The lions didn’t move. Most read in The Sun HO HO HAUL I've spent £2k stockpiling for Christmas, people who aren’t doing it are bonkers TAT-NEW Noughties group tATu look unrecognisable as they reunite 20yrs after topping charts 'I'M NOT RUDE' Woman defends GLUING 'no parking' notes on 'selfish' residents' Range Rovers KATIE'S TERROR Katie Piper rushed to hospital for emergency op after choking drama FACE OF EVIL Mugshot shows battered face of UK's most prolific rapist as victim fought back GRASSED UP 'Mean' homeowner slammed over method to stop people walking on his front garden “They all laid in one spot with their paws turned upwards. Their fragile bodies were burnt, and their faces carried the devastating scars of the flames just days ago. “Three male Lions, the supposed to be Kings of the Jungle, in one of the camps, couldn’t stand at all. As they attempted to get up, they simply collapsed over and over. One cannot begin to comprehend the pain these lions were in. “We saw that the lions couldn’t escape the blazing fires, and the inhalation of smothering fumes was evident. The lions didn’t move. They all laid in one spot with their paws turned upwards.”   And although vets from the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) attempted to treat the animals, 30 lions could not be saved and were euthanised. The SPCA stated it had only just named the centre as it was waiting for an official complaint to be filed. ‘HUMANLY EUTHANISED’ “The lions that we humanly euthanised were taken to a cremation site where we supervised every incineration. “We were adamant that no one would benefit from any by-product as we were carrying all the costs,” Meyer added. It is estimated that around 12,000 lions are kept behind bars in South Africa, where they are legally monetised. Cubs are often separated from their mums in order to be fed by tourists while adult lions and tigers are used for breeding and “canned hunting” where they are released in an enclosed area to hunt. Additionally, their bones are sold in a quota system to Asia where they are used in medicines and ornaments. Complaints of animal cruelty are regularly reported, however, they rarely lead to a conviction. Back in 2020, horrifying pictures from the world’s worst zoo at Khartoum, Sudan, showed lions emaciated to such an extent, their bones were visible through their skin. The animals had not been given enough food or medicine for weeks amid the country’s deep economic crisis. Reports at the time claimed that some of the lions had died looking like nothing more than a bag of “skin and bones.” African lions are officially classed as “vulnerable” as their population has dropped to 20,000. Bloemfontein SPCASadly 30 lions could not be saved[/caption] Bloemfontein SPCAThey were left to starve after a fire broke out in the breeding farm[/caption] We pay for your stories! Do you have a story for The Sun news desk? Email us at exclusive@the-sun.co.uk or call 02077824104. You can WhatsApp us on 07423 720 250. We pay for videos too. Click here to upload yours Click here to get The Sun newspaper delivered for FREE for the next six weeks.