Five Lions Rescued from War in Ukraine Begin New Lives in England

SMARDEN, England — Five lions rescued from the war in Ukraine have recently arrived at their new sanctuary in England after facing traumatic experiences. Among them is a malnourished lioness who spent years confined to a small apartment and another who was so traumatized by her experiences that she could barely walk.

These five lions, which include male African lion Rori and lionesses Amani, Lira, and Vanda, were successfully transported from temporary homes in Belgium to The Big Cat Sanctuary near Ashford, Kent. They joined lioness Yuna, who had arrived in August. All five lions were rescued from areas near the front lines of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine.

Life Before Rescue

The lions were not from traditional zoos but were instead victims of the illegal pet and wildlife trade. Cameron Whitnall, the managing director of The Big Cat Sanctuary, revealed that these lions were abandoned by their owners amidst the chaos of war.

Yuna had been kept in a small brick cell and showed signs of severe trauma after debris from rockets fell near her enclosure. Rori had been mistreated in a private refuge, while siblings Amani and Lira were likely bred to be tourist attractions as cute cubs. Vanda, on the other hand, had lived in an apartment where she suffered from malnutrition and infestations.

Efforts for Rescue

These five lions were saved thanks to the dedication of the Wild Animals Rescue Center operated by Natalia Popova, a Ukrainian who has been rescuing abandoned pets and animals since the war began in February 2022. She has successfully rescued various animals, including lions, tigers, and even deer, relocating them to safer environments.

Whitnall was determined to bring the five lions to England, despite the lack of space at the sanctuary initially. An impressive fundraising campaign raised over 500,000 pounds (about $650,000) to support their travel, medical care, and to construct their new home.

Adjusting to New Lives

Since their arrival, the lions have begun to adjust to their new enclosures, specifically designed to cater to each one’s individual needs. Yuna and Rori received specially landscaped environments to accommodate their coordination issues. Amani and Lira now have trees to climb, while playful Vanda enjoys a water feature in her space.

Curator Briony Smith has observed positive changes in the lions’ behavior and well-being. The sanctuary staff are still getting to know these new residents and are delighted by Yuna's significant progress. She had never experienced grass until her rescue and was struggling to walk. Whitnall recalls, "She was very shaky, suffering from what we believed was shellshock, but she has shown remarkable recovery since arriving here."

The sanctuary team is incredibly pleased with the improvement in the lions’ health and spirits. Whitnall enjoys feeding Yuna her favorite treat, raw chicken legs, stating that she has turned into a beautiful lioness.

lions, rescue, Ukraine, England, sanctuary