Isibindi

Born: Approximately January 2015
Arrived at LLA Sacnctuary: April 2016
Lives with: Mandla (brother)
Tawny Male
Parents: unknown

Isibindi arrived at Love Lions Alive sanctuary as a scared 17-month-old lion in the autumn of 2016. His name, Isibindi, means “brave and courageous” in Zulu. He certainly has been brave in the journey he faced as a cub, and overcoming it with grace and pride. He and his brother, Mandla, came to us after a friend of the sanctuary happened to stumble into the happenings of a deal between breeders selling the lions to hunters in the Eastern Cape. Unable to prevent themselves from intervening, they stepped into negotiations and purchased Isibindi and Mandla instead, then asking Love Lions Alive to take them in and spare them from their fate. Buying animals from breeders just helps to perpetuate the industry of breeding. However, in this situation, we felt it imperative to create a home for the lions that were already on their way to us. We do not support the purchasing of lions for the “rescue trade” as it is just another form of lion trade.

Isibindi has grown into a healthy, large lion and is, if we might say, also our best looking lion. He is particularly “chilled”, unlike his boisterous brother, and prefers to stay in his own world. Mandla is the only one who can get his attention, as well as the food truck coming around. He likes to climb “his tree”, which is quite unique for lions. Although, we must admit, it really is one of the easiest trees to climb, with a large sloped branch that he loves to survey his kingdom from. Isibindi will live a happy lion lifestyle at Love Lions Alive for the rest of his life.

Co-Guardian 2024-25

Ana Alcalde (Lions Roar Org)