From warzone to forever home – two lions relocated from Ukraine to Kent's Big Cat Sanctuary

The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, UK, has embarked on a critical mission to rescue Rori, a male African lion, and Yuna, a female African lioness, from war-torn Ukraine, in Kyiv. Both lions have been traumatised by the ongoing war and will be travelling over 1,400 miles to safety.

After months of vigorous planning and preparation alongside the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the charity has now rescued the first two of the five lions out of Ukraine: Yuna and Rori. The lioness named Yuna, has already had a traumatic life. In January 2024, debris was blasted so close to Yuna’s enclosure that she suffered from shell shock and loss of coordination. She was surrendered to the facility at Wild Animal Rescue,
which has been supported by IFAW.

“Ukraine is now no stranger to tragedy, and the stories of these big cats are no different. I am happy, that at least for them, they are heading to a safer place. The Big Cat Sanctuary has offered permanent homes to the remaining lions, including Yuna who we feared might not be homed due to her psychological issues.” says Natalia Gozak, who has been coordinating these evacuations on behalf of IFAW and Wild Animal Rescue.

Yuna is the first of a cohort of lions being moved to The Big Cat Sanctuary with the habitat ready for her arrival, creating a safe, comfortable, and enriching environment tailored to meet her needs, providing her with refuge for recovery and the best possible care. While The Big Cat Sanctuary has immediate capacity for one lion; Yuna, temporary homes have been identified in Belgium where the other four lions, Rori, Vanda, Amani and Lira, who will stay in safety for the coming months until their forever homes are ready.

The Sanctuary is working alongside Cross Border Animal Services (CBAS), who on Wednesday 14th August arrived at the Wild Animal Rescue Centre in Kyiv, to collect Yuna and Rori. The other lion Rori – a male, who also suffered shell shock will be moving with Yuna in the same journey, although he will be dropped off en- route at Natuurhulpcentrum in Belgium. The team from The Big Cat Sanctuary are currently at Natuurhulpcentrum in Belgium ready to welcome Rori, Yuna and CBAS. After dropping off Rori, they will continue to drive to the UK, following CBAS through Belgium to France, boarding a ferry, and driving from Dover to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent. The entire journey is estimated to take up to four days, and the route involves traveling through six countries: France, Belgium, Netherlands, Germany, Poland, and Ukraine, and will take around 25 hours by car. The Big Cat Sanctuary are fully prepared and commided to ensuring the safety of Yuna and Rori throughout their journey across Europe.

“It’s been a huge effort from everyone involved. We have worked night and day for many months for this very moment and we can’t wait to get them to their forever home now here at the sanctuary”, said Cam Whitnall, Project Lead of The Big Cat Sanctuary and presenter of CBBC’s One Zoo Three.

The Sanctuary is overwhelmed by the public's support, having raised over £300,000 of their £500,000 target for the vital mission to rescue five lions from the warzone. The funds raised will assist with the lions' transportation, veterinary treatment, and the construction of the Lion Rescue Centre.

This rescue marks a huge milestone in the Sanctuary’s campaign, bringing two lions out of the warzone and closer to safety.