Rescued from War: Five Lions from Ukraine Find Sanctuary in England at The Big Cat Sanctuary

Five lions rescued from the war zone in Ukraine have found a new home at The Big Cat Sanctuary in England. The lions, Rori, Amani, Lira, and Vanda, were saved from neglect and abandonment near the front lines of the conflict. They were originally part of the illegal pet and wildlife trade. The lions were transported from temporary shelters in Belgium to the sanctuary, joining another lioness, Yuna, who arrived earlier. The rescue was made possible by the Wild Animals Rescue Center in Ukraine and a fundraising campaign that raised over $650,000. Each lion's enclosure is tailored to their specific needs, with features like gently landscaped environments for lions with coordination issues and a water feature for the playful Vanda. Sanctuary staff are optimistic about the lions' progress and their ability to thrive in their new environment.