Overview

• The Lion Rescue Centre at the Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent officially opened on March 25, 2025, providing a permanent home for five lions rescued from Ukraine's war zone.
• The lions—Rori, Amani, Lira, Vanda, and Yuna—suffered severe neglect and trauma, including malnutrition, shell shock, and confinement in small enclosures.
• Natalia Popova's Wild Animals Rescue Center in Ukraine facilitated the lions' initial care before their relocation, supported by a £500,000 international fundraising campaign.
• Each lion's enclosure has been tailored to their unique needs, aiding their physical and psychological recovery after years of exploitation and abuse.
• Staff at the sanctuary report positive signs of adaptation, with the lions beginning to explore, relax, and recover in their new environment.