Gladio, an eight-year-old male, was rescued from captivity in a cramped and filthy cage, where he had been mistreated and malnourished since he was a cub.
Carabinieri forestry cops liberated the rare and majestic creature after receiving complaints from animal rights activists.
After being treated for symptoms of neglect at the Bioparco Zoo, Gladio has been introduced into an ample new compound visible to the public, next to the area which houses the zoo’s Sumatra tigers.
Gladio now has 400 square metres of greenery to roam in, a pond to swim in and secluded dens to rest in and hide from the public.
"It's the first time he has touched the [natural] ground in a long while," Bioparco Foundation President Federico Coccìa said.
"Up until now, he has just walked on cement."
With ANSA
