Lions rescued from Ukraine conflict get new dwelling at Ashford Lion Rescue Centre | EUROtoday

Five traumatised lions rescued from the Ukrainian warzone have discovered a brand new dwelling at a sanctuary in England, following a global rescue effort.

The lions – male African lion Rori and lionesses Amani, Lira, Vanda, and Yuna – endured harrowing experiences close to the entrance strains of the battle.

They arrived on the Big Cat Sanctuary close to Ashford, Kent, after a 12-hour journey from short-term shelters in Belgium.

The lions’ particular person tales paint a grim image of neglect and abandonment.

Yuna, who arrived on the sanctuary in August, was confined to a small brick cell and suffered shellshock after missile particles landed close to her enclosure. Rori was mistreated in a non-public menagerie.

Amani and Lira had been probably bred for vacationer photograph alternatives as cubs. Vanda was discovered severely malnourished after spending her life confined to an condo.

open picture in gallery

“All of these five lions were originally from the illegal pet trade and wildlife trade,” defined Cameron Whitnall, managing director of the Big Cat Sanctuary.

“None of them came from zoos.”

The sanctuary’s new Lion Rescue Centre, which formally opens on Tuesday, gives a secure haven for the rescued animals.

The centre provides specialised care and an opportunity for the lions to get better from their traumatic experiences.

The lions had been saved by the Wild Animals Rescue Centre, run by Natalia Popova, a Ukrainian girl who has saved lots of of deserted pets and zoo animals since Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022.

Lions, tigers, leopards, wolves, deer, monkeys and extra have handed by way of her shelter, a transformed horse steady close to Kyiv. Hundreds have been despatched overseas for therapy and restoration.

open picture in gallery

Mr Whitnall was decided to convey the 5 lions to Britain, although the sanctuary had nowhere to place them.

A fundraising marketing campaign launched in May 2024 raised greater than £500,000 to cowl the prices of transportation, veterinary care and constructing a brand new dwelling for the cats.

Staff say they’re adapting nicely to their enclosures, which have been designed round every lion’s particular person wants.

Yuna and Rori, who’ve coordination points, obtained gently landscaped environments the place they’ll’t fall from a peak, whereas sisters Amani and Lira have timber to climb.

Vanda, essentially the most playful and assured of the lions, has an enclosure that features a water function.

open picture in gallery

“I’m sure it’s a bit of a journey. We’ve got more to do, but they are taking everything so incredibly well,” stated curator Briony Smith, who takes care of the animals.

“You can already tell that there is improvement in their care and their welfare and the way that they feel about that.”

Ms Smith and Mr Whitnall are nonetheless attending to know their 4 latest costs. They have already shaped a powerful bond with Yuna, who had by no means been on grass till she was rescued.

“She could barely walk,” Mr Whitnall stated. “She was suffering from shellshock and concussion. She was so severely bad that they were actually going to euthanise her.

“But we managed to step in and get her out of the war zone, and she’s just come on leaps and bounds since being here at the sanctuary.

“We’re just so happy with her progress. She’s a beautiful lioness now.”