Melena, a 12-year-old male lion rescued from a circus in Argentina, underwent three successful root canals at Ubuntu Wildlife Sanctuary near Mossel Bay along the Garden Route in the Western Cape - and he’s now recovering pain-free.
The procedure, which cost an estimated R45,000, was performed by Dr Cedric Tutt, one of only two big cat dental specialists in South Africa. Thanks to an outpouring of donations from supporters both locally and abroad, the funds were raised in just 10 days.
"It was nerve-wracking to sedate an older lion, but Melena pulled through brilliantly," says Ubuntu Wildlife Sanctuary COO Lukas Swart.
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"We can see he is eating with more comfort. It’s clear he feels relief. Eating isn’t just about nutrition, it’s how we get his medication and supplements into him. When he stopped eating properly, we knew he was in real pain. Now, seeing him able to enjoy his food again means we can keep him healthy and give him the best quality of life."
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Melena’s story is extraordinary even by rescue standards. Born into captivity and believed to have been part of a travelling circus, he’s survived cancer, a partial tail amputation, and other health challenges.
His resilience has made him a favourite at Ubuntu, which has been rescuing compromised big cats since 2018, relocating in 2021 to a 1,650-hectare sanctuary in the mountains between Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn - right on the Garden Route, about five-hours drive from Cape Town.
Unlike many sanctuaries, Ubuntu is not open to the public and does not allow animal interactions with its 14 resident lions and two rescued tigers.
Instead, it funds its operations through volunteer programmes, school camps, and a patron scheme, which allows participants to contribute to the upkeep of the sanctuary. Children over 12 are welcome with strict safety measures in place. The school groups are introduced to lessons in teamwork, responsibility, and conservation ethics.
Volunteers from around the world join in hands-on conservation work, from animal care to clearing alien vegetation, with an active donor programme also adding to the overall success of Ububtu, according to Swart.
For Melena, the support of this global community has already changed his world. “Every lion here has a difficult backstory,” says Swart. “But operations like this show what’s possible when people come together to give these animals the lives they deserve. We are so grateful for all the support we've been shown."
Ubuntu Wildlife Sanctuary is about 35 minutes from Mossel Bay on the Garden Route. To support their work or learn more about volunteering, visit Ubuntuwild.com.
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