Adam's Too-Short Life
Animal Stories from All-Creatures.org

From BETA (Beirut for the Ethical Treatment of Animals)

May 2010

As a cub still being nurtured by my mother, living the wild life in the Savannah, belonging to a Pride, I was a free lion till one day I was trapped and taken away by ‘MAN’ and was placed in captivity and taken for a very long bumpy ride till I finally reached another country called, Lebanon.

Life became dark and I was frightened and confused and wanted my home and my mom. Just when I thought that was the worst thing that could happen to me, I was left in captivity for what would feel like forever.

My childhood story is still being debated since all sorts of stories were told, probably to hide the truth, which is probably the worst story of my short life. The pet store owner said he raised me since I was 2 months old, others said I was kept at a zoo nearby... All I know is that I was being poked continuously in order to make growling noises and “entertain” some people who came to visit me.

When I grew bigger I demanded more food that could not be delivered and instead I was barely fed some bread and a little water to quench my thirst. I became used to the feeling of hunger, my stomach felt full and inflated all the time, little did I know that was not a good sign.

One day, I heard sweet voices and encouragement to hang on to life, a group of people called BETA came to my rescue, fought for me and transported me to Animal Encounter, a non-profit educational centre for wild life conservation, where I was slowly regaining my strength. I was fed proper food and was finally treated like a king. I thought: at last, humans were helping me become healthy to stand up again and when that would happen maybe I would finally travel back to my natural habitat and run free and wild and maybe even see my mother again.

A vet from South Africa came to visit me and I was treated accordingly but my body was too tired for me to handle all this progress, some days I felt better, others I felt weak again. I did not make it for the vet's next visit, it was too late to rewind what was done and my body caved in one day. The long times of sickness and pain were stronger than my poor body can handle and I passed on one day.

I was only 2 years of age when I died, too young if you ask me. I know from experience that there is evil out there but there is a lot of good as well. Thanks to all of you who supported me, I was able to live the last days of my life on earth surrounded by people who cared enough to want me to get better. I regret to let down all those who believed in me, but I want to make sure you all know I am not feeling pain any longer & that for the first time ever... I’m free.

I have so much I want to say but I bid you all farewell, you will always be in my thoughts as I know I will be in yours…

My name is ADAM…

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