Rescued Lioness Escapes War-Torn Ukraine to Find Life in UK—Reunion With Her King Awaits!
A brave lioness from Ukraine, shaken by war, has found safety in the UK, where she awaits a heartwarming reunion with her beloved companion! 🌐 #News #AshfordUK #UnitedKingdom #LionRescue
ASHFORD, UK – A shellshocked lioness from Ukraine was on her way to her forever home at a U.K. sanctuary on Friday, while her male companion was safely transported to a temporary home in Belgium, rescuers said.
The Big Cat Sanctuary is working to bring five lions from war-torn Ukraine to the U.K. Yuna, a lioness suffering shell shock after bombing near her enclosure in Ukraine, was the first to arrive at the sanctuary in Kent, England.
Her male companion, Rori, and the other three lions will be temporarily held at the Natuur Hulp Centrum in Belgium until the Big Cat Sanctuary can finish building the new Lion Rescue Centre in the U.K. to house them all, the group said.
“This is a HUGE milestone in our campaign to rescue all five lions from Ukraine, but we still need your help to rescue Vanda, Lira and Amani,” the rescue charity wrote on Facebook.
A video shared by Big Cat Sanctuary shows Rori arriving in Belgium Friday, where officials said he was “settling in beautifully” after a long journey. Yuna traveled another eight hours to the U.K.
According to the charity, Rori “endured a life in the illegal pet trade” before becoming shellshocked along with Yuna during Russia’s war in Ukraine.
It is believed that Yuna may have been used for breeding. Amani and Lira, meanwhile, are sisters that were found in a private menagerie where it is believed they were exploited for social media, the charity said.
“This moment feels so special, knowing she’ll finally have the second chance she deserves,” the sanctuary said.
“Once our Lion Rescue Centre is complete later this year, Rori and Yuna will be reunited at the sanctuary, where they’ll live out their days surrounded by care and compassion. None of this would be possible without the incredible support of all of you. From the bottom of our hearts, thank you for believing in this mission and standing with us every step of the way.”
Written by TMX staff, with additional reporting by Jack and Kitty Norton. Editor’s note: Photo used for illustrative purposes only and do not depict the actual subject.
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