NO CLAWS, no manes, no future, no hope, but brave lions have been saved by UK zoo
Four mistreated circus lions are to enjoy a new life in the UK after being rescued from a horrific fate abroad.
The big cats Simba, Mufasa, Sangaka and Tiny have no claws or manes due to the appalling way they’ve been treated.
Now a big-hearted couple have vowed to give them a second chance at life after raising £150,000 to cover the cost of their journey to Britain and the building of a new enclosure.
Shirley Curran, 52, who runs the Five Sisters Zoo near Polbeth, West Lothian, with her husband Brian, 56, said: “It’s a bit scary and exciting.
“We’re hoping they’ll be with us in the next few weeks and we can’t wait.”
The arrival of the ferocious animals is the latest chapter in the zoo’s rollercoaster history.
Shirley and Brian were inspired to set it up after the tragic loss of their 17-month-old son David.
The tot died after being given an accidental overdose of penicillin while being treated for suspected meningitis. 
David Curran, the son of Shirley and Brian Curran, who sadly died when he was 17 months old
First, they launched a garden centre next to their home complete with petting zoo to keep children busy while their parents shopped.
Soon it spiralled with people bringing unwanted pets like snakes and reptiles for them to look after.
The rapid expansion meant it wasn’t long before council chiefs decided they needed a proper zoo licence for all the animals.
But then disaster struck.
Two years ago, a massive fire ripped through the zoo, killing hundreds of the precious animals.
Shirley admitted: “There are times when we look at each other and wonder what we’re doing.
“For a while I couldn’t see a future. Everything was so black.
“But the animals and our other two sons give me something to get up for every day.
“It’s been very hard, but it’s also been amazing.”
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