---
title: "Umbhali: An Inspiring Rescue Story"
description: The Aspinall Foundation in partnership with Love Lions Alive in South Africa rescue a small, male lion cub being held in awful conditions at a farm.
image: https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/hubfs/2023%20Landing%20pages%20-%20Blogs/IMG-20220503-WA0010.jpg
---

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# The Aspinall Foundation

# Umbhali: An Inspiring Rescue Story

Posted by [The Aspinall Foundation](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/author/the-aspinall-foundation) on 31-Jan-2023 11:14:00

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In April 2022, our partners at Love Lions Alive in South Africa were  
informed that a small, male lion cub was being held in awful conditions  
at a farm close to the town of Warden.

When we reached him, the cub was close to death. Barely strong enough  
to feed himself, he was severely dehydrated and was showing signs of  
neurological damage. The farmer who was keeping the cub captive had  
decided that he did not want to spend money on the animal any longer,  
so he had been left to die in his tiny, filthy enclosure.

![IMG-20220503-WA0010](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/2023%20Landing%20pages%20-%20Blogs/IMG-20220503-WA0010.jpg?width=1200&height=1600&name=IMG-20220503-WA0010.jpg)

The cub’s chances were slim, and we knew we had to step in. He was seized  
and rushed to Old Chapel Veterinary Hospital in Pretoria. There, Peter  
Caldwell, one of the world’s best feline vets, led an intensive three-week  
course of treatment for the neurological conditions caused by the poor diet  
and heart-breaking treatment the young cub had suffered.

Initial treatment in the first two weeks included anti-inflammatories and  
painkillers to allow him to gain the strength to be properly x-rayed. His  
treatment then progressed to intensive nutritional supplements and  
medication to support bone growth.

As the tenacious youngster clung to life and showed the first glimmer of  
recovery, his name became obvious to our team. He was Umbhali, which  
means ‘author’ in Zulu. This 6-month-old cub was not going to let cruel  
humans write his story for him - he was the author of his own destiny. His  
new name perfectly captured the spirit of this truly inspirational cat.

Umbhali’s story continues at the Love Lions Alive sanctuary. There, he  
continues to receive the best possible care. Despite his sad start to life,  
Umbhali has a notably friendly and gentle temperament, and is very fond of  
playing with his favourite toy: a ball. Another young rescued lion lives next  
door to him at the sanctuary and the two are interacting positively through  
the fence, with Umbhali always keen to bring his food over to show his  
neighbour.

![IMG-20220503-WA0009](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/hs-fs/hubfs/2023%20Landing%20pages%20-%20Blogs/IMG-20220503-WA0009.jpg?width=1200&height=1600&name=IMG-20220503-WA0009.jpg)

Umbhali is recovering and growing well, getting stronger every day, and our  
team are steadfast in ensuring that he will never again be subjected to such abuse. With the right care, he will be able to move to a larger protected area, where he will live a natural life under the watchful eye of his carers.

A noticeable spark has returned to Umbhali’s unusual light brown eyes. For  
this striking white lion, a positive new chapter has begun.

[![Help us rescue even more animals >>](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/2756589/01e7e8f3-dcc0-4c33-94f7-24f69755289d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/2756589/01e7e8f3-dcc0-4c33-94f7-24f69755289d)

 Topics: [The Aspinall Foundation](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/the-aspinall-foundation), [lion](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/lion), [south africa](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/south-africa), [rescue](https://blog.aspinallfoundation.org/topic/rescue)

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