PRESS RELEASE
Headcorn, Kent – 11th February 2026:
The high-stakes mission to rescue Ursa, a young female Eurasian lynx, has officially commenced. The Big Cat Sanctuary’s Managing Director, Cam Whitnall, and the specialist extraction team have begun their arduous journey to war-torn Ukraine, with the operation expected to continue for several days.
This vital mission follows a phenomenal fundraising effort where the initial target of £100,000 was not only met but significantly exceeded. Thanks to an extraordinary £50,000 donation from local Kent business Premier Coatings, the total raised has reached a staggering £134,152.80.
The extraction team, which includes Crossboarder Animal Services, is now navigating the complex international logistics and security challenges required to move Ursa across borders. Once she arrives safely in Kent, she will begin her new life at The Big Cat Sanctuary, receiving world-class care and the peace she has been denied since birth.
Not only is the Sanctuary coordinating the rescue of Ursa, but is also assisting with the logistics of transporting Mir the Amur Tiger, who Cam and the rescue team will deliver to Natuurhulpcentrum, Belgium.
Cam Whitnall, Managing Director of The Big Cat Sanctuary, said “Whilst we are incredibly grateful for the funding, the hardest part of this mission is now ahead of us. Navigating a war zone brings immense logistical challenges and unpredictable risks, especially when transporting a vulnerable animal like Ursa. This journey will be fraught with danger and complexity, but it is a vital one. Ursa has lived under the shadow of conflict for far too long, and despite the obstacles we face in the coming days, we are fully committed to navigating these hazards to ensure she finally reaches the safety of her forever home in Kent.”
Ursa’s Journey to Safety
As a global leader in wild cat care and rescue, the team back at The Big Cat Sanctuary is preparing for the lifelong care of Ursa, who was found living in appalling conditions after being illegally kept as a private pet in the Ukrainian war zone. Currently housed at the Wild Animal Rescue Center near Kyiv, under the care of Natalie Popova, Ursa remains in significant danger due to the ongoing conflict.
Born in 2023, Ursa was discovered as a kitten by the organisation URSA, being kept illegally in a private home. After being confiscated by police, she was moved to the Wild Animal Rescue Center. Initial veterinary exams revealed severe intestinal infections and stunted growth due to malnutrition. Having been hand-raised and lacking the skills to survive alone, experts confirm Ursa can never return to the wild.
For further information please contact Press@thebigcatsanctuary.org