5 Lions Rescued from Ukraine’s War Zone Find Safe Haven in England
First Published: 26th March, 2025 15:03 IST
The lions Rori, Amani, Lira, Vanda, and Yuna were saved from neglect and abandonment near the front lines of Ukraine’s war against Russia.
5 Lions Rescued from Ukraine: Five traumatised lions, including one malnourished and another too scared to walk, are now safe at the Big Cat Sanctuary in England after a daring international rescue effort.
According to a report by The Associated Press, five lions rescued from the war zone in Ukraine have arrived at the Big Cat Sanctuary in England, where they are getting a second chance at life. The lions Rori, Amani, Lira, Vanda, and Yuna were saved from neglect and abandonment near the front lines of Ukraine’s war against Russia.
None of them came from zoos. Instead, they were victims of the illegal pet and wildlife trade. Yuna had spent her life in a tiny brick cell, while Vanda was kept in an apartment, malnourished and infested with parasites. Rori suffered abuse in a private menagerie, and sisters Amani and Lira were likely bred for tourist photos as cubs.
A Ukrainian rescuer, Natalia Popova, saved the lions and hundreds of other abandoned animals since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022. The Big Cat Sanctuary’s managing director, Cameron Whitnall, led a campaign to bring the lions to England, raising over £500,000 ($650,000) for transportation, veterinary care, and a specially built rescue center.
The lions arrived this month after a 12-hour journey from Belgium, where they had been temporarily housed. Their new enclosures are designed to meet their individual needs. Yuna and Rori, who have coordination issues, have safe, gently sloped environments. Amani and Lira have trees to climb, and Vanda, the most playful of the group, enjoys a water feature.
Curator Briony Smith said the lions are settling in well and showing signs of improvement. Yuna, who had never touched grass before, has made remarkable progress. “She was so severely affected that euthanasia was considered, but now she’s thriving,” Whitnall said.
With expert care and a secure home, these lions are finally getting the life they deserve.
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