Six Lions Find Forever Sanctuary After Being Rescued From Roadside Zoo In Quebec
Photo by: Michael Bernard/ Humane World for Animals
Six lions rescued from a roadside zoo in Quebec have finally found their forever homes. After months of recovery and expert care at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Ontario, they’re now heading to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas and The Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota, where they’ll spend the rest of their lives in safety.
The rescue, coordinated by Humane World for Animals Canada, marks a significant milestone in the ongoing fight to end the exploitation of wild animals in captivity.
The lions were discovered in heartbreaking conditions, confined to a small, barren shed at a shuttered zoo, with little to no enrichment, inadequate veterinary care, poor nutrition, and clear signs of psychological distress. Humane World for Animals Canada led the rescue operation, supported by multiple sanctuary partners and dedicated resources to ensure the safe removal and rehabilitation of the animals.
“The story of these lions illustrates the urgent need for government action. In Canada, wild and exotic animals in captivity remain tragically under protected. The ongoing need for non-governmental organizations, including Humane World for Animals, to rescue the victims of roadside zoos highlights a glaring gap in federal policy,” said Rebecca Aldworth, executive director of Humane World for Animals Canada.
“Without meaningful legislation, unethical facilities will continue to profit from animal suffering” continued Aldworth. “Canada now has a clear opportunity to bring federal animal welfare laws in line with public values, and to establish itself as a global leader in protecting captive wildlife.”
This is not the first time Canada has faced scrutiny over its handling of captive wildlife. This rescue follows the largest zoo animal seizure in Canadian history in 2019, when over 200 wild and exotic animals were removed from another Quebec roadside zoo in St-Édouard-de-Maskinongé by Humane World for Animals Canada and the Montreal SPCA.
Following their rescue, the lions were temporarily housed at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Northern Ontario, where three custom-built enclosures provided them with safety, space, and enrichment for the first time in their lives. Weeks ago, three of the lions were relocated to their forever home at The Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota. The remaining three are now en route to Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Arkansas, where they will live in a true sanctuary environment.
In 2023, there was hope for legislative change. The government introduced Bill S-15, which aimed to ban any new captivity of great apes and elephants in Canada for entertainment purposes. An official Senate report also recommended adding big cats to the legislation. Sadly, the bill died on the order paper following the federal election, stalling progress once again.
“The lions rescued by The Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota are already living happily wild at heart in large free-roaming habitats, including lion cub Mango who was born during this rescue,” said Tammy Thies, executive director of The Wildcat Sanctuary. “This has been our 7th rescue trip to Canada, where we advocate for stricter regulations and more true sanctuaries so wild animals can be properly and humanely cared for there. We are proud to work alongside so many accredited sanctuaries and reputable organizations to get these lions to permanent sanctuary.”
As these six lions begin new lives in expansive, species-appropriate habitats, their story serves as both a celebration of resilience and a call to action for stronger animal protection laws across Canada.
