Photos By: The Big Cat Sanctuary
A young lioness named Yuna has found her forever home at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Kent, following a 1,400-mile journey from war-torn Ukraine.
Yuna’s life has been marked by profound hardship. Rescued from a home situated near the site of devastating explosions, she endured filthy living conditions and faced constant bullying from another lion named Atlas. The relentless stress of her environment took a toll, and in January 2024, she experienced a severe setback after debris from a nearby blast left her suffering from shell shock and a loss of coordination.
In desperate need of care and a safe haven, Yuna was ultimately surrendered to the Wild Animal Rescue, with support from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW). This pivotal moment offered her a glimmer of hope—a chance for healing and renewal away from the turmoil she endured.
Yuna is the first of a cohort of lions being moved to The Big Cat Sanctuary, which is urgently looking to raise funds to build the enclosures for the remaining lions that they are taking on. While The Big Cat Sanctuary has immediate capacity for one lion, temporary homes have been identified in Belgium where the other lions will stay in safety for the coming months until their forever homes are ready.
Amid the rescued lions is Rori, a male lion grappling with the profound effects of shell shock. Once traveling alongside Yuna, Rori’s life took another turn when he was relocated to Natuurhulpcentrum VZW in Belgium. This new environment offers a chance for him to start the long path to healing, away from the traumas of his past.
Alongside Rori, two young sisters, Amani and Lira, both around one year old, are preparing for their own journey. Soon, they will move to Pairi Daiza in Belgium, where they will receive care and companionship. As they face this significant change, the sisters will rely on each other to navigate their new surroundings.
Then there’s Vanda, a young lioness with a harrowing past. She was rescued from an apartment block in Southeastern Ukraine near a nuclear power plant. Due to severe malnourishment, Vanda’s growth was stunted, making her appear as small as a three to four-month-old cub, despite being eight months old. Fortunately, she is scheduled to be transferred to ZOO Planckendael in Belgium, where she will have the chance to thrive in a safe, nurturing environment.
“When we heard about the heart-breaking plight of these lions, we knew we had to do something, even though we didn’t have the space,” said Cameron Whitnall of The Big Cat Sanctuary. “We immediately got to work, trying to find out how to make this idea a reality. It’s a race against time, but we are determined to give them the best possible forever home they can have – that’s our mission because they deserve it after all they’ve been through.”
Once these big cats are relocated, it will signify that the remaining five lions supported by IFAW at Wild Animal Rescue have found safe homes. This achievement marks another significant milestone for both Wild Animal Rescue and IFAW, tallying a total of 21 big cats successfully placed in secure environments.
“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,” said Natalia Gozak, who has been coordinating these evacuations on behalf of IFAW and Wild Animal Rescue.
Most big cats bred in captivity cannot be released into the wild, so IFAW and various animal welfare groups and partners work to identify suitable homes where these animals will receive lifelong care. Housing options are scarce, and the ongoing war has led to a significant influx of animals needing homes, straining the already limited number of suitable venues that are now at capacity. The Big Cat Sanctuary is currently building enclosures to ensure that the rescued big cats will receive the very best care.
“Wild animals born in captivity and rescued from these situations, sadly cannot return to the wild, where they belong,” added Gozak. “Lions do not make suitable pets – they are wild animals that require expert specialist care to best meet their physical and psychological needs.”
“It’s a scary time for everyone here in Ukraine. These big cats must have been so frightened and confused – some were born during the conflict and know no life other than the constant chaos of war, some have been directly impacted by shelling. I am relieved these lions now have a better life ahead,” said Natalia Popova of Wild Animal Rescue.
