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Thirty-three lions rescued from South American circuses have arrived at South Africa. The animals will now be moved to the Emoya Big Cat Sanctuary in northern Limpopo province. Most of the lions are in poor conditions making it unsafe for them to return to the wild.

Thirty-three lions rescued from South American circuses have arrived at South Africa.

"Some have eyes missing; they're blind; many of them, their toes have been cut off; they can't grow claws. Many of them, their teeth have been smashed, because in the circuses they smash them in the face with iron bars. So these animals have suffered," said Jan Creamer, president of Animal Defenders International.

Jan Creamer, the president of Animal Defenders International, says Twenty-four of the lions were rescued in Peru by the animal rights group, nine others were voluntarily surrendered by a circus in Colombia, and the transfer has been the largest airlift of lions in history.

"They have lived a life of absolute hell. They've been beaten. They've been starved. They've been deprived of everything that makes life work living for a lion, everything that a lion might enjoy. So, yes, I believe we have brought them back to paradise, where they belong," Creamer said.

"Some have eyes missing; they're blind; many of them, their toes have been cut off; they can't grow claws. Many of them, their teeth have been smashed, because in the circuses they smash them in the face with iron bars. So these animals have suffered," Creamer said.

Jan Creamer says the transfer was the largest airlift of lions in history.