The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent has successfully rescued the final three lions from war-torn Ukraine: Vanda and sisters Amani and Lira. In collaboration with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) and Cross-Border Animal Services (CBAS), the team crossed the Korczowa-Krakovetz border from Ukraine into Poland and transported the lionesses 1,300 miles across three countries to temporary safety in Belgium.
The lions were evacuated from Kyiv on Wednesday, September 18th, and arrived in Belgium on Friday, September 20th. Vanda, around one year old, was kept as a pet in a flat in Southeast Ukraine with no access to sunlight, an outside area and was severely malnourished. She has been relocated to Plankendael Zoo temporarily. The sisters Amani and Lira, who were rescued together, are assumed to have been illegally bred for photo exploitation purposes and the cub petting industry. They stay at Pairi Daiza temporarily in Belgium, like Vanda and the male, Rori, until their permanent forever home, the Lion Rescue Centre at The Big Cat Sanctuary, is completed in late 2024.
This follows the Sanctuary’s earlier success in rescuing two other lions from Ukraine—Yuna and Rori—on August 14th, 2024. Yuna is already settling into her new habitat in Kent, where she walked on grass for the first time in her life. At the same time, Rori is temporarily housed at Natuurhulpcentrum until the Lion Rescue Centre at the Sanctuary is finished.
“We’ve done it! All five lions are successful out of the war in Ukraine. We’re proud to collaborate with two excellent facilities in Belgium where Vanda, Amani and Lira will stay temporarily at Pairi Daiza and Plankendael Zoo”, said Cam Whitnall, Project Lead of The Big Cat Sanctuary and presenter of CBBC’s One Zoo Three. “Now that they’re safe, our focus is on completing the Lion Rescue Centre and bringing them all to their forever home at the sanctuary very soon”.
The Sanctuary’s new Lion Rescue Centre, expected to be completed by November 2024, will provide a permanent home for all five rescued lions. The Big Cat Sanctuary continues to appeal for public support to reach its £500,000 fundraising goal, with £430,000 already raised, to ensure the lions receive the care and home they deserve.
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