For 20 years, this mountain lion was chained up, has priceless reaction when he’s finally freed

The group Animal Defenders International (ADI) performed a wonderful rescue.

After 20 years of being forced to perform for a Peruvian circus, Mufasa the mountain lion was set free from his chains.

In Peru, wild animals in circuses are banned. However, most circuses did not follow through with the law when it was implemented, and instead kept wild animals in their act.

This was the case of poor Mufasa, who traveled chained to a truck.

Animal Defenders International (ADI) was not one to stand for this kind of behavior. Showing incredible resolve, ADI tracked down each animal one by one and rescued them from their captivity.

Thanks to their firm determination, Mufasa was the last wild animal to be rescued from a Peruvian circus.

In a dramatic stand-off – so intense that riot police were called – the final circus was ultimately cornered and Mufasa was able to be cut free from his chains.

Mufasa was then taken home to his natural habitat: Peruvian forest.

Because of the conditions of his life, Mufasa was in no shape to be returned to the wild. As a result, ADI built him a custom enclosure at a sanctuary located in the Peruvian forest.

There, Mufasa was looked after and cared for in the most natural habitat nature could have provided for him.

Unfortunately, Mufasa passed away in December 2015 following a few months of freedom. Mufasa’s life in the circus, including being chained to the bed of a pick-up truck, had done severe damage to his health, along with him dealing with kidney failure and other age-related issues.

Though Mufasa did not get to experience his freedom for very long, the fact that ADI still gave him the opportunity to know what it’s like is a blessing in disguise.

Thanks to ADI’s efforts, Mufasa was relieved from his forced circus servitude and able to briefly enjoy his forest habitat.

The difference in Mufasa is visible from the first photo to this last one.