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Zoo Leopards Find New Home at Preserve

UK actress wins their release, with help from Monaco's Prince Albert

By Jane Yager,  Newser Staff

Posted Jan 26, 2008 6:00 PM CST

(Newser) – Brother-sister pair Sirius and Pitou grew up in a French traveling circus, spent the last nine years at the Monaco zoo, and have now found a new home at a wildlife preserve in South Africa. The 16-year-old leopards undertook their recent journey—sedated and via two airplanes—thanks to British actress and conservationist Virginia McKenna, the Telegraph reports.

McKenna persuaded Monaco's reigning prince, Albert II, to grant the leopards their freedom. Her animal welfare organization, Born Free, arranged the big cats' transport to a fenced-off area of the preserve, where they were last spotted feasting on antelope. Albert has promised McKenna that he will also release a camel, a hippo, and other zoo animals.

Prince Albert II of Monaco watches as two zoo employees carry the sedated leopard Sirius, at Monaco zoo, Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
Prince Albert II of Monaco watches as two zoo employees carry the sedated leopard Sirius, at Monaco zoo, Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)   (Associated Press)
The leopard Pitou is seen in the zoo of Monaco, Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. Two leopards, Pitou and Sirius, brother and sister, both 16 years old, were transfered by plane from Monaco to their new African home at the Shamwari Wildlife Reserve in the Eastern Cape Province of South Africa,...
The leopard Pitou is seen in the zoo of Monaco, Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. Two leopards, Pitou and Sirius, brother and sister, both 16 years old, were transfered by plane from Monaco to their new African home...   (Associated Press)
Prince Albert II of Monaco, right, with English veterinary John Knight, places eye drops to the sedated leopard Sirius, in Monaco zoo, Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)
Prince Albert II of Monaco, right, with English veterinary John Knight, places eye drops to the sedated leopard Sirius, in Monaco zoo, Monday, Jan. 7, 2008. (AP Photo/Lionel Cironneau)   (Associated Press)
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