Lion Rori (M). (The Big Cat Sanctuary via SWNS)
By Faye Mayern via SWNS
An animal sanctuary has said it's "a race against time" to rescue traumatized five lions from war-torn Kyiv.
The Big Cat Sanctuary is on a mission to evacuate one lion and four lionesses from Ukraine to a new home near Ashford, Kent.
The ongoing war has caused much distress to the cats, especially two of the lions who are suffering from shell shock.
Cam Whitnall, from the sanctuary, said: “When we heard about the heart-breaking plight of these lions, we knew we had to do something, even though we don’t have the space at the Sanctuary right now.
“We immediately got to work, trying to find out how to make this idea a reality with the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).
"It’s a race against time, but we are determined to give them the best possible forever home they can have.
"That's our mission because they deserve it after all they’ve been through."
Lions, Amani & Lira. (The Big Cat Sanctuary via SWNS)
A three-year-old lion called Rori and a lioness named Yuna, also three, are temporarily living in a shelter called Wild Animal Rescue, which rescues animals across Ukraine.
Debris was blasted close to Yuna’s enclosure in January this year has left the lioness suffering from shell shock and loss of coordination.
She had been found by military volunteers and was living with another lion in a three by four meter enclosure with a concrete floor.
The debris fell 300 meters from her enclosure and Yuna would cower in the corner of her enclosure.
Since being moved to her temporary home at Wild Animal Rescue, she has begun to show fewer signs of stress.
Rori, a three-year-old lion, was thought to have been used for illegal breeding before his rescue in January 2023.
After heavy shelling near his former enclosure in Sumy, he could not stand due to his own shell shock.
Cam Whitnall from the Big Cat Sanctuary. (The Big Cat Sanctuary via SWNS)
Since his rescue by Wild Animal Rescue, his coordination issues have begun to improve although a permanent home in the UK is needed.
Wild Animal Rescue are working with The Big Cat Sanctuary to move the animals including three other lionesses to Kent.
Vanda, another lioness, was rescued from a flat in south-eastern Ukraine and was severely malnourished after being kept as a family pet.
Sisters Amani and Lira were rescued as lion cubs from a breeding facility and were rescued by Wild Animal Rescue after the breeders ceased business due to the war.
Natalia Popova, of Wild Animal Rescue, said: "These big cats must have been so frightened and confused.
"Some were born during the conflict and know no life other than the constant chaos of war, while others have been directly impacted by shelling.
"I am relieved these lions now have a better life ahead.
“It’s a scary time for everyone here in Ukraine."
The Big Cat Sanctuary is now building a dedicated enclosure at its center in Kent to ensure the best care for the five lions.
They are appealing for funds to help evacuate and give new homes to Vanda, Yuna, Rori, Amani, and Lira.
