Emirates' pride

A TERRIFIED LIONESS emerged from an Emirates flight at Johannesburg International Airport last week on her way to the Shamwari Game Reserve in the Eastern Cape after spending the last six months of her life in what has been described as appalling captive conditions.
Her journey started last October when a tiny, dilapidated crate arrived at Sharjah Airport in the United Arab Emirates, labelled 'cheetah'. The crate was intercepted by customs officials who believed the animal had been smuggled in from Somaliland. When no one came to collect it, the Dubai Zoo was called in to assist.
An appeal was then sent out to the Born Free Foundation, and they, together with a group of sponsors, supported the animal until arrangements were completed with Shamwari to house her.
Emirates SkyCargo agreed to fly her at their expense to Johannesburg, from where she was flown on by SAA Cargo to Port Elizabeth. She is now settling down in a special three-acre bush enclosure, allowing her freedom of movement for the first time in months.