After almost ten months of dedicated effort, we are thrilled to share that four rescued lions from war-torn Ukraine have begun their journey to their forever home here at The Big Cat Sanctuary. Rori, Amani, Lira, and Vanda will soon be reunited with Yuna, who arrived safely at the Sanctuary in August 2024 after her own rescue.
These lions have been receiving temporary care at facilities across Belgium—Pairi Daiza, Natuurhulpcentrum, and Planckendael Zoo. We are incredibly grateful to these organizations for providing refuge while we worked tirelessly to complete the Lion Rescue Centre, a state-of-the-art facility built to provide each rescued lion with the safety, security, and enrichment they need to thrive.
On Thursday, 13th March, our rescue team will begin the journey by collecting Rori, the male lion, from Natuurhulpcentrum, before traveling to Planckendael to pick up Vanda. They will then proceed to Pairi Daiza to bring home the two sisters, Amani and Lira.
Alongside Cross Border Animal Services (CBAS), our team will travel through Belgium to France, where they will board a ferry bound for the UK. The journey is expected to take approximately 12 hours, with the lions arriving at The Big Cat Sanctuary on Friday, 14th March. Every step of this journey has been carefully planned to ensure the safety and well-being of Rori, Amani, Lira, and Vanda.
“The moment we have been waiting and dreaming for is finally happening,” says Cam Whitnall, Managing Director of The Big Cat Sanctuary. “We will soon be on our way to bring these lions home. It has been an incredibly challenging journey, but we never lost sight of our mission—to give these magnificent lions the safe and secure future they deserve. Seeing Yuna reunited with Rori, Amani, Lira, and Vanda will be an emotional and rewarding milestone for our team and supporters.”
This rescue mission has only been possible thanks to the overwhelming generosity of our supporters, who helped us raise over £500,000. These funds have covered critical expenses, including transportation, veterinary care, and the construction of the Lion Rescue Centre.
Every one of these lions deserves a second chance at life after the trauma they have endured. Yuna was left unable to walk due to severe shellshock from missile attacks. Vanda is believed to have been kept inside an apartment for five to six months with no outdoor access or sunlight. Rori was confined in a private menagerie, experiencing both captivity and the horrors of war. Amani and Lira were exploited for photo opportunities and are likely the result of illegal breeding. Thanks to the efforts of Wild Animals Rescue Centre (WAR) and the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), these lions were saved from dire conditions.
This historic rescue mission has been led by a dedicated team, including Cam Whitnall and Briony Smith from The Big Cat Sanctuary, Natalia Popova from WAR, Natalia Gozak from IFAW, and Geert Wijnands from CBAS.
The arrival of Rori, Amani, Lira, and Vanda is not just the end of their long journey—it is the beginning of a new chapter filled with safety, care, and love. We will continue to share updates as they travel through Europe and across the English Channel to their new home at The Big Cat Sanctuary.
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