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4w ago

Lions Rescued from Ukraine War Find New Home in England

Five traumatised lions, saved from neglect in the Ukraine war zone, are settling into custom enclosures at the Big Cat Sanctuary’s newly opened Lion Rescue Centre in Kent.

After being rescued from Ukraine, lion sisters Amani and Lira settle into their new forever home at The Big Cat Sanctuary near Ashford in Kent, England, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
After being rescued from Ukraine, lion sisters Amani and Lira settle into their new forever home at The Big Cat Sanctuary near Ashford in Kent, England, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Yuna, a lion rescued from Ukraine growls at a camera as she settles into her new forever home at The Big Cat Sanctuary, near Ashford in Kent, England, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)
Cameron Whitnall feeds Yuna after lions are rescued from Ukraine and settle into their new forever home at The Big Cat Sanctuary, near Ashford in Kent, England, Thursday, March 20, 2025. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

Overview

  • The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent officially opened its Lion Rescue Centre on March 25, 2025, providing a safe haven for five lions rescued from the Ukraine war zone.
  • The lions, originally from the illegal wildlife trade, endured severe neglect and trauma near the front lines of the conflict before being rescued by Natalia Popova and her team.
  • A fundraising campaign launched in May 2024 raised over £500,000 to cover transportation, veterinary care, and the construction of specialised enclosures tailored to the lions’ needs.
  • Yuna, the first lioness to arrive in August 2024, has shown remarkable recovery from shellshock and malnourishment, with staff noting significant improvements in her health and behavior.
  • The lions’ new enclosures include features like climbing trees, water elements, and safe, gently landscaped areas to support their physical and emotional rehabilitation.