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Sky News
25-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
Five lions rescued from Ukraine are welcomed to new 'forever home' in UK
Five "severely neglected" lions who were rescued from war-torn Ukraine have been welcomed to their new "forever home" in the UK - where they have all stepped on grass for the first time. The Lion Rescue Centre was officially opened at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent, on Tuesday by the charity's ambassador - Bake Off star Paul Hollywood. A fundraising campaign collected £500,000 to build the centre which is the home for the lions Rori, Amani, Lira, Vanda and Yuna. All five were found near the frontline in Ukraine, neglected and abandoned by their owners. Yuna, a three-year-old female, was rescued after living in a 3x4 metre enclosure with a bare concrete floor. When evacuated, she could not stand because of severe concussion caused by shell shock from heavy shelling during the war. Rori, a three-year-old African male, was previously living in a private menagerie and was believed to be used for illegal breeding. The lion could not stand - likely due to shell shock. Vanda, a severely malnourished 18-month-old female, was rescued from a flat where she was being kept as a family pet without access to the sun. Amani and Lira, both females about three years old, are sisters who were rescued together after being illegally bred and used for photo exploitation. Rori, Amani, Lira and Vanda, who arrived at the Big Cat Sanctuary this month after a 12-hour journey by road and ferry from temporary homes at zoos and animal shelters in Belgium, while joined Yuna arrived in August. None of the lions had walked on grass until they arrived at the sanctuary in Kent. The big cats were saved by the Wild Animals Rescue Center run by Natalia Popova, a Ukrainian woman who has saved hundreds of abandoned pets and zoo animals since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Lions, tigers, leopards, wolves, deer, monkeys and more have passed through her shelter, a converted horse stables near Kyiv. A Big Cat Sanctuary spokeswoman said: "The lions come from varying situations of neglect and abuse with four out of the five lions having never touched grass before - making their first steps out at The Lion Rescue Centre even more poignant. "These beautiful cats have been severely neglected, confined to concrete enclosures, used for illegal breeding or kept as family pets. "Their new habitats have been specially designed to provide each lion with the ideal environment to rest and recuperate." The spokeswoman added that each lion had individual needs due to their "previous hardships". She added that the team at the Lion Rescue Centre will ensure the animals "receive the physical and psychological care needed to recover from their ordeal". "For example, Yuna's environment has been designed to accommodate her neurological and coordination challenges, with no high platforms and a more gentle slope to climb," the spokeswoman continued. Baroness Hayman, the parliamentary under-secretary of state at the department for environment, food and rural affairs and Dr Gillian Fargher, the high sheriff of Kent, also attended the opening of the centre. Cam Whitnall, managing director of The Big Cat Sanctuary, said: "We are so relieved to have these lions safe and settled in their forever home. "Seeing their feet touch the grass for the first time in our state-of-the-art Lion Rescue Centre was an emotional moment for all involved. Nervous at first, all five cats are now starting to relax, play and explore their new habitat."
Al Arabiya
25-03-2025
- General
- Al Arabiya
Lions rescued from Ukraine war settle into a a new life in England
One malnourished lioness had spent her life confined to an apartment. Another was so shell-shocked she could barely walk. They are among five traumatized lions rescued from the war zone in Ukraine who are settling into a new home in England after an international effort to bring them to safety. Male African lion Rori and lionesses Amani, Lira, and Vanda arrived this month at the Big Cat Sanctuary after a twelve-hour journey by road and ferry from temporary homes at zoos and animal shelters in Belgium. They join lioness Yuna, who arrived in August at the sanctuary's new Lion Rescue Center, which officially opens on Tuesday. All five were found near the front line in Ukraine's war against Russian invasion, neglected and abandoned by their owners. 'All of these five lions were originally from the illegal pet trade and wildlife trade,' said Cameron Whitnall, managing director of the Big Cat Sanctuary near Ashford, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of London. 'None of them came from zoos.' Yuna was kept in a small brick cell and was shell-shocked after missile debris fell near her enclosure. Rori was mistreated in a private menagerie, while sanctuary staff believe siblings Amani and Lira were bred to have their photos taken with tourists as cubs. Vanda, kept inside an apartment, was malnourished and infested with parasites. Whitnall says in her new home Vanda, like the others, can become the lion she deserves to be. The lions were saved by the Wild Animals Rescue Center, run by Natalia Popova, a Ukrainian woman who has saved hundreds of abandoned pets and zoo animals since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Lions, tigers, leopards, wolves, deer, monkeys, and more have passed through her shelter – a converted horse stable near Kyiv. Hundreds have been sent abroad for treatment and recovery. Whitnall was determined to bring the five lions to Britain even though the sanctuary had nowhere to put them. A fundraising campaign launched in May 2024 raised more than 500,000 pounds (650,000) to cover the costs of transportation, veterinary care, and building a new home for the cats. Staff say they are adapting well to their enclosures, which have been designed around each lion's individual needs. Yuna and Rori, who have coordination issues, got gently landscaped environments where they can't fall from a height, while sisters Amani and Lira have trees to climb. Vanda, the most playful and confident of the lions, has an enclosure that includes a water feature. 'I'm sure it's a bit of a journey. We've got more to do, but they are taking everything so incredibly well,' said curator Briony Smith, who looks after the animals. 'You can already tell that there is improvement in their care and their welfare and the way that they feel about that.' Smith and Whitnall are still getting to know their four newest charges. They have already formed a strong bond with Yuna, who had never been on grass until she was rescued. 'She could barely walk,' Whitnall said. 'She was suffering from shell-shock and concussion. She was so severely bad that they were actually going to euthanize 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,' said Whitnall, who enjoys feeding Yuna her favorite snack of raw chicken legs. 'She's a beautiful lioness now.'
Yahoo
25-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
5 lions rescued from the war in Ukraine settle into a new life in England
SMARDEN, England (AP) — One malnourished lioness had spent her life confined to an apartment. Another was so shell-shocked she could barely walk. They are among five traumatized lions rescued from the war zone in Ukraine who are settling into a new home in England after an international effort to bring them to safety. Male African lion Rori and lionesses Amani, Lira and Vanda arrived this month at the Big Cat Sanctuary after a 12-hour journey by road and ferry from temporary homes at zoos and animal shelters in Belgium. They join lioness Yuna, who arrived in August, at the sanctuary's new Lion Rescue Center, which officially opens on Tuesday. All five were found near the front line in Ukraine's war against Russian invasion, neglected and abandoned by their owners. 'All of these five lions were originally from the illegal pet trade and wildlife trade,' said Cameron Whitnall, managing director of the Big Cat Sanctuary near Ashford, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of London. 'None of them came from zoos.' Yuna was kept in a small brick cell and was shellshocked after missile debris fell near her enclosure. Rori was mistreated in a private menagerie, while sanctuary staff believe siblings Amani and Lira were bred to have their photos taken with tourists as cubs. Vanda, kept inside an apartment, was malnourished and infested with parasites. Whitnall says in her new home Vanda, like the others, can 'become the lion she deserves to be.' The lions were saved by the Wild Animals Rescue Center run by Natalia Popova, a Ukrainian woman who has saved hundreds of abandoned pets and zoo animals since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Lions, tigers, leopards, wolves, deer, monkeys and more have passed through her shelter, a converted horse stables near Kyiv. Hundreds have been sent abroad for treatment and recovery. Whitnall was determined to bring the five lions to Britain, even though the sanctuary had nowhere to put them. A fundraising campaign launched in May 2024 raised more than 500,000 pounds ($650,000) to cover the costs of transportation, veterinary care and building a new home for the cats. Staff say they are adapting well to their enclosures, which have been designed around each lion's individual needs. Yuna and Rori, who have coordination issues, got gently landscaped environments where they can't fall from a height, while sisters Amani and Lira have trees to climb. Vanda, the most playful and confident of the lions, has an enclosure that includes a water feature. 'I'm sure it's a bit of a journey. We've got more to do, but they are taking everything so incredibly well,' said curator Briony Smith, who looks after the animals. 'You can already tell that there is improvement in their care and their welfare and the way that they feel about that.' Smith and Whitnall are still getting to know their four newest charges. They have already formed a strong bond with Yuna, who had never been on grass until she was rescued. 'She could barely walk,' Whitnall said. 'She was suffering from shellshock and concussion. She was so severely bad that they were actually going to euthanize 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,' said Whitnall, who enjoys feeding Yuna her favorite snack of raw chicken legs. 'She's a beautiful lioness now.' ___ Video journalist Tom Rayner contributed to this story.
The Hill
25-03-2025
- General
- The Hill
5 lions rescued from the war in Ukraine settle into a new life in England
SMARDEN, England (AP) — One malnourished lioness had spent her life confined to an apartment. Another was so shell-shocked she could barely walk. They are among five traumatized lions rescued from the war zone in Ukraine who are settling into a new home in England after an international effort to bring them to safety. Male African lion Rori and lionesses Amani, Lira and Vanda arrived this month at the Big Cat Sanctuary after a 12-hour journey by road and ferry from temporary homes at zoos and animal shelters in Belgium. They join lioness Yuna, who arrived in August, at the sanctuary's new Lion Rescue Center, which officially opens on Tuesday. All five were found near the front line in Ukraine's war against Russian invasion, neglected and abandoned by their owners. 'All of these five lions were originally from the illegal pet trade and wildlife trade,' said Cameron Whitnall, managing director of the Big Cat Sanctuary near Ashford, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of London. 'None of them came from zoos.' Yuna was kept in a small brick cell and was shellshocked after missile debris fell near her enclosure. Rori was mistreated in a private menagerie, while sanctuary staff believe siblings Amani and Lira were bred to have their photos taken with tourists as cubs. Vanda, kept inside an apartment, was malnourished and infested with parasites. Whitnall says in her new home Vanda, like the others, can 'become the lion she deserves to be.' The lions were saved by the Wild Animals Rescue Center run by Natalia Popova, a Ukrainian woman who has saved hundreds of abandoned pets and zoo animals since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Lions, tigers, leopards, wolves, deer, monkeys and more have passed through her shelter, a converted horse stables near Kyiv. Hundreds have been sent abroad for treatment and recovery. Whitnall was determined to bring the five lions to Britain, even though the sanctuary had nowhere to put them. A fundraising campaign launched in May 2024 raised more than 500,000 pounds ($650,000) to cover the costs of transportation, veterinary care and building a new home for the cats. Staff say they are adapting well to their enclosures, which have been designed around each lion's individual needs. Yuna and Rori, who have coordination issues, got gently landscaped environments where they can't fall from a height, while sisters Amani and Lira have trees to climb. Vanda, the most playful and confident of the lions, has an enclosure that includes a water feature. 'I'm sure it's a bit of a journey. We've got more to do, but they are taking everything so incredibly well,' said curator Briony Smith, who looks after the animals. 'You can already tell that there is improvement in their care and their welfare and the way that they feel about that.' Smith and Whitnall are still getting to know their four newest charges. They have already formed a strong bond with Yuna, who had never been on grass until she was rescued. 'She could barely walk,' Whitnall said. 'She was suffering from shellshock and concussion. She was so severely bad that they were actually going to euthanize 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,' said Whitnall, who enjoys feeding Yuna her favorite snack of raw chicken legs. 'She's a beautiful lioness now.'
Associated Press
25-03-2025
- General
- Associated Press
5 lions rescued from the war in Ukraine settle into a new life in England
SMARDEN, England (AP) — One malnourished lioness had spent her life confined to an apartment. Another was so shell-shocked she could barely walk. They are among five traumatized lions rescued from the war zone in Ukraine who are settling into a new home in England after an international effort to bring them to safety. Male African lion Rori and lionesses Amani, Lira and Vanda arrived this month at the Big Cat Sanctuary after a 12-hour journey by road and ferry from temporary homes at zoos and animal shelters in Belgium. They join lioness Yuna, who arrived in August, at the sanctuary's new Lion Rescue Center, which officially opens on Tuesday. All five were found near the front line in Ukraine's war against Russian invasion, neglected and abandoned by their owners. 'All of these five lions were originally from the illegal pet trade and wildlife trade,' said Cameron Whitnall, managing director of the Big Cat Sanctuary near Ashford, about 50 miles (80 kilometers) southeast of London. 'None of them came from zoos.' Yuna was kept in a small brick cell and was shellshocked after missile debris fell near her enclosure. Rori was mistreated in a private menagerie, while sanctuary staff believe siblings Amani and Lira were bred to have their photos taken with tourists as cubs. Vanda, kept inside an apartment, was malnourished and infested with parasites. Whitnall says in her new home Vanda, like the others, can 'become the lion she deserves to be.' The lions were saved by the Wild Animals Rescue Center run by Natalia Popova, a Ukrainian woman who has saved hundreds of abandoned pets and zoo animals since Russia's full-scale invasion in February 2022. Lions, tigers, leopards, wolves, deer, monkeys and more have passed through her shelter, a converted horse stables near Kyiv. Hundreds have been sent abroad for treatment and recovery. Whitnall was determined to bring the five lions to Britain, even though the sanctuary had nowhere to put them. A fundraising campaign launched in May 2024 raised more than 500,000 pounds ($650,000) to cover the costs of transportation, veterinary care and building a new home for the cats. Staff say they are adapting well to their enclosures, which have been designed around each lion's individual needs. Yuna and Rori, who have coordination issues, got gently landscaped environments where they can't fall from a height, while sisters Amani and Lira have trees to climb. Vanda, the most playful and confident of the lions, has an enclosure that includes a water feature. 'I'm sure it's a bit of a journey. We've got more to do, but they are taking everything so incredibly well,' said curator Briony Smith, who looks after the animals. 'You can already tell that there is improvement in their care and their welfare and the way that they feel about that.' Smith and Whitnall are still getting to know their four newest charges. They have already formed a strong bond with Yuna, who had never been on grass until she was rescued. 'She could barely walk,' Whitnall said. 'She was suffering from shellshock and concussion. She was so severely bad that they were actually going to euthanize 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,' said Whitnall, who enjoys feeding Yuna her favorite snack of raw chicken legs. 'She's a beautiful lioness now.'
