Guest guest Posted May 29, 2001 Report Share Posted May 29, 2001 In a land far away from Africa, a land rich in history, a land where Caesarsonce schemed and battled, a land where her ancestors fought with gladiatorsin the arena of the Circus Maximus, Lea was born. Lea’s mother lived inNaples Zoo but her grandparents came from Kenya. It was the practice of Naples Zoo to sell the cubs that were born there.When she was only one and a half months old Lea found herself in a home in the village of Nettuno with a man called Antonio Vincenzo. Antonio loved his foster child dearly and she was raised as a companionanimal. For the first year of her life she went everywhere with himwithout any leash or restraint. She crossed busy streets through crowds ofpeople to the supermarket. The neighbourhood dogs were her friends. She slept on Antonio’s bed and everyone in Nettuno knew Lea. Her diet was distinctly Italian. Lea loved spaghetti, particularly when flavoured withsauces such as Neapolitan. Potatoes, vegetables and pasta made up the bulk of her diet during her first year. Notwithstanding her strange diet shethrived. When she was a year old the happy childhood ended and harsh reality set in.Antonio had to work for a living and so was obliged to take his beloved Leato the local Zoo where she was confined in a small cell all week. He usedto visit her every Sunday and she would whimper and cry when he left.Lea is now 5 years old. She is still confined in a four by four metre cellat the Zoo, which is threatened with closure. Not only is her presentconfinement unhappy and unhealthy, but if a good home cannot be found forher, her life will be terminated. For the last two years Antonio has been trying to find a home for her.Several kind people have tried to find a way to help her but for one reasonor another Lea remains in her cage. At the beginning of May 2001 Louise Joubert of Sanwild RehabilitationCentre in the Northern Province telephoned the KRC and asked tHem if they wouldbe prepared to give Lea a home. She pointed out that the only other peoplewho would take Lea were the canned lion hunters. Without any hesitation theKalahari Raptor Centre committed themselves to giving Lea a home for the rest of her life. YOU CAN HELP LEA RETURN TO PEOPLE WHO LOVE HER. PLEASE VISIT THE KRC's WEB SITE AT http://www.raptor.co.za/ for news updates about Lea. Also you can write to KRC at krc Submitted by Roger Gould-King South Africa Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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