The two former circus lions that the Born Free Foundation rescued from Bulgaria‚ were successfully released at the Shamwari Game Reserve‚ 75km outside Port Elizabeth‚ Eastern Cape. Jora and Black’s epic journey took them more than 16‚000km‚ via the UK‚ and concluded on Sunday with their arrival at their overnight camp before final release on Monday morning.The Born Free Foundation said the two eight-year-old lions started their journey “home” from a halfway house in central Bulgaria to Bourgas Airport on the Black Sea coast‚ late on Friday.“From there they were flown by Thomson Airways to London’s Gatwick Airport where legendary actress and Born Free co-founder‚ Virginia McKenna‚ was waiting to give them a warm welcome.”McKenna said‚ “Born Free has successfully moved many captive animals but each occasion is unique in its own way. I am really happy to have seen these two lions at Gatwick before they head to their African homeland.“I hope their story will inspire people to treat wild animals with respect and understanding‚ and never subject them to totally inappropriate existences in captivity. Jora and Black are flagship animals for the ending of all wild animals in circuses. Let all countries follow Bulgaria’s example.” Jora and Black then travelled by road‚ in approved quarantine vehicles operated by JCS Livestock‚ to London’s Heathrow Airport where they were carefully prepared for the longest leg of their journey - a flight to Johannesburg International Airport.Coronation Street actress Helen Worth‚ who launched the successful appeal for Jora and Black’s rescue in July and has been closely following their progress‚ took the opportunity to wish the brothers a fond farewell as they left the UK.“It is so exciting to see Jora and Black on the move to their wonderful new home. They are absolutely stunning animals and I feel really privileged to have had a chance to see them close up and on their way. I love Shamwari Game Reserve and I know they will have a lovely home there‚” she said.After landing in Johannesburg‚ Jora and Black were transported by road. A convoy of Land Rover Discovery vehicles and trailers completed the journey to Shamwari Game Reserve‚ near Port Elizabeth.Shamwari Group head of wildlife and veterinarian‚ Dr Johan Joubert‚ and Born Free’s Big Cat Specialist‚ Tony Wiles‚ travelled with the two lions throughout their journey‚ making regular health checks.Dr Joubert said‚ “I am delighted we have been able to take these animals and offer them a permanent home in the African bush. It is a stark contrast from the trucks in which they were first found. These animals have travelled well and show every sign of settling in and reestablishing some of their natural behaviour.”Taken in as small cubs‚ the brothers were originally part of a circus act touring Eastern Europe and Turkey. Following the Bulgarian government’s much-welcomed ban on the use of wild mammals in circuses‚ the lions were left to languish in a stifling beast wagon since the summer of 2014‚ until the owners agreed to rehome them with Born Free...