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Amani and Lira were found together and brought to The Wild Animal Rescue
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They are sisters, both approximately 2 years old
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It is assumed they were illegally bred for photo exploitation purposes and the cub petting industry
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They have both been living temporarily at Pairi Daiza in Belgium
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The pair were rescued from War-torn Ukraine in September 2024
Amani, and her sister, were rescued from a breeding facility in Ukraine and it is thought they were illegally bred for photo exploitation purposes and the cub petting industry. When there were no more customers wanting lion cubs due to the war, the breeders ceased business and anonymously called Wild Animal Rescue and Natalia Popova went to rescue the two young lionesses. The two sisters have a remarkable bond between one another and never leave each other’s side.
Amani was part of the Sanctuary’s Big Cats in Crisis campaign, the vital mission in rescuing five traumatised lions from war-torn Ukraine. The Sanctuary launched the campaign on the 2nd May 2024, with a fundraising goal of £500,000 to bring all five lions, Yuna, Rori, Amani, Lira and Vanda, to the sanctuary and build them a new forever home, The Lion Rescue Centre.
Adopt HereAmani and Lira when they were found by Wild Animal Rescue in Ukraine
Amani and Sister Lira when they were temporarily housed at Pairi Daiza
Amani living at her new forever home, the Lion Rescue Centre, at The Big Cat Sanctuary
Amani, and her sister Lira, had been temporarily living at Pairi Daiza in Belgium while their new home, the Lion Rescue Centre, was being built at the Sanctuary. The sisters alongside Vanda were evacuated from the Wild Animal Rescue Centre in Kyiv, Ukraine, on 18th September 2024. They traveled over 1,300 miles across three countries to the temporary facility.
Since arriving at Pairi Daiza, Amani and her sister have been settling in wonderfully. They have been showing how much of an amazing bond and relationship that the pair have. Amani is the more confident sister, always curious of what is happening and is first to inspect new things such as enrichment. Whereas Lira is more reserved and follows her sisters lead. Letting Amani check if the coast is clear and it’s safe! The pair also loves to chase each other around their habitat, destroying trees and chasing each other with branches! Even taking them into their bed!
Amani arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary on Friday 14th March, alongside her sister Lira, Rori and Vanda. They were then welcomed to their new home at the Lion Rescue Centre. They arrived in the afternoon and have been kept inside the house to acclimatise to their new surroundings after the long journey from Belgium. All five lions have now been reunited and are adjusting to their forever home.
Adopt HereThese iconic animals have powerful bodies weighing between 265 to 420 pounds. Lion roars can be heard from 5 miles or 8km away. An adult lion’s coat is yellow-gold, while the juveniles have some light spots which generally disappear with age. Only male lions typically boast manes, the impressive fringe of long hair that encircles their head.
Lions are the only cats that live in groups, called prides—although there is one population of solitary lions. Prides are family units that may comprise anywhere from two to forty lions—including up to to three or four males, around a dozen females, and their young.
Lions can hunt the largest prey – buffalo, giraffe, and even juvenile elephants. However, they predominantly prey upon medium-sized wildlife, such as wildebeest, zebra, and impala.
The vast majority of lions live in sub-Saharan Africa. The current world population is estimated to be under than 20,000 – down from as many as 200,000 in 1900. Lions are threatened by the illegal trade in meat and other body parts, habitat loss, and conflict with humans due to the real or perceived threat that lions pose to livestock.