THREE LIONS GETS RESCUED FROM WAR-TORN UKRAINE
After a fundraiser, a wildlife charity said it was "delighted" to be able to transport three lions who were stuck in war-torn Ukraine to safety in Yorkshire. Rafael and Shanti, two of the one-year-old lions, had "survived against all chances" after being discovered by their starving and dying mother, who had been left in a private zoo.
In June, the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster-based WildLife Foundation issued a request for donations to help with the 2,000-mile (3,200-kilometre) trek. The charity has yet to confirm the total raised, but trustee Cheryl Williams said it was happy to "save these beautiful lions who have not had the best start in life".
According to Yorkshire Wildlife Park, numerous animals have been abandoned without food, water, or shelter as a result of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. This fall, the park will welcome siblings Rafael and Shanti as well as a third lion named Oleg, who was nurtured by people before its owners left the Sumy region. They are currently at a rescue and rehabilitation centre in Kyiv and will be brought together for the first time to live in a pride.
"Oleg now lives alone, so we are looking forward to introducing him to the others," stated Charlotte MacDonald, the park's animal director. "Rafael and Shanti survived against all odds and are now inseparable, gentle and curious around people. "They will live safely together in their new home in Yorkshire."After bringing 17 animals to its lion habitat over the years, this is Yorkshire Wildlife Park's third rescue.
'Proud to be rescuing lions'
Thirteen African lions were brought to the park during the first lion rescue in 2010. Because of its success, the park decided to take on a second mission in 2024. After being abandoned in the Donetsk region of Ukraine, Aysa and her cubs, Emi, Santa, and Teddi, who are now almost three years old, travelled more than 2,000 miles across six countries from Poland.
Ms Williams said, "We are extremely proud of our previous rescues, and it is rewarding to see all of the lions settle into their home in Yorkshire."
Park CEO John Minion said the support from donations had been "incredible".
He added, "We are looking forward to welcoming the new lions to the park and proud to be rescuing lions for the third time."