Starving lions and tigers have been rescued from war-torn Ukraine and given a new lease of life at a game reserve in South Africa.
Warriors of Wildlife rescued the hungry big cats from cramped cages in the Carpathian Mountains and the Mykolaiv region of Ukraine, where the conflict has depleted food supplies.
After being rescued in 2022, the animals made the 85-hour journey to Simbonga Game Reserve and Sanctuary on South Africa’s Eastern Cape.
The animals had been created for hours during the journey across the continent but appeared to be in good health after the long journey.
In total, the organization rescued seven big cats during the operation, including six lions named Cher, 8, Hercules, 4, Khaya, 4, Akera, 4, Mir, 4, and Simba, 10, as well as a tiger named Gina, 9.
The lions now live in large enclosures, ready to start their new life.
Since moving from Europe, the sanctuary’s shelter manager Lauren Vad-Smith, 32, has documented the animals’ progress since they arrived in Africa.
Lauren said: ‘These animals now all live in our sanctuary in Simbonga Game Reserve in South Africa. The lions have lasted 85 hours in their crates from Ukraine to their destination in the reserve.
‘Our non-profit organization is called Warriors of Wildlife; we work all over the world with a primary focus currently on Ukraine and South Africa.
“Tourists can come and visit the lions and learn more about the animals and the work that goes into saving them. Our goal is to rescue and relocate animals in need in captivity.”
These weren’t the only animals rescued from the Eastern European country last year. Since the outbreak of war in Ukraine, Warriors have Wildlife has rescued and relocated 37 lions from Ukraine to South Africa.
