While on paper planet Earth exists for all kinds of species, more often than not, humans act as it belongs only to us. We cage and abuse all the other creatures around us and act as if they exist solely for our use. Luckily, there are some good people out there who have dedicated their lives to ensuring that the earth is safe for all its creatures and the rest of us are fortunate to be able to witness the moments in which these animals tasted freedom for the first time in their lives.
#1.
Caged up their whole lives so that they could be used in experiments, these beagles have endured a lot of suffering. Once all kinds of tests are done on them, they’re put down. Thankfully for these little ones, the Beagle Freedom Project was able to negotiate their freedom. They’re bouncing around on the grass and playing for the very first time since they were born.
#2.
These chimpanzees are hugging each other joyfully as they step out into their new home in the Gut Aiderbichl Animal Sanctuary, Austria. For three decades, they were kept in labs and were injected with various substances including HIV. This is the first time they are seeing the outside world.
#3.
The Chintimini Wildlife Centre, Oregon, rehabilitates wild animals that have been wounded or orphaned. They aim to make them fit to return to their natural habitats while also teaching people more about these animals. Here we can see three foxes who were orphaned when they were very young and brought up at the Centre being released into the wild. They cautiously examine their whereabouts and then run away into the bushes.
#4.
Saved by Mary Cummins and Animal Advocates after they were orphaned, these four raccoons have been brought up by the organization. However, they haven’t lost any of their natural mischiefs. They spent some time playing and overturning their boxes prior to scampering away into the trees.
#5.
When a storm surge battered Norfolk, many seal pups washed up at various places along the coast. They were rescued by the RSPCA Wildlife Centre, East Winch, West Norfolk and thankfully so as many were still too young to survive without their mothers. Once they grew enough to be able to care for themselves, they were released back into the wild. The pups slide through the mud with a lot of excitement so that they can get to the water.
#6.
An Amur or Siberian tiger, members of Zolushka’s species are very rare indeed. Hunters found her as an orphaned cub and she was rehabilitated by the IFAW till she could go back to her natural habitat. After her beautiful leap back into the wild, she later went on to become the first rehabilitated Amur tiger to give birth in the wild thereby signaling hope for her species.
Freedom is a beautiful thing. If rational creatures desire it, it is obvious “mindless” creatures would too.
