Four lions, a mother named Aysa and her cubs Emi, Santa, and Teddi, have been successfully relocated to the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster after being rescued from war-torn Ukraine. Their journey began amidst the chaos of the Russian invasion, where they were living in a private collection in the Donetsk region before being abandoned. The animals were first moved to the Wild Animal Rescue sanctuary in Kyiv, showing signs of trauma and malnourishment due to their harrowing experiences.

Following their stay in Kyiv, the lions were then transferred to a holding facility in Poznan Zoo, Poland, waiting for a more permanent home. Their relocation was made possible through collaborative efforts between the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), Wild Animal Rescue, and Poznan Zoo.

The lions embarked on a 1,000-mile journey to their new residence at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, a sanctuary known for its commitment to rescuing animals from dire situations. The park has previously embarked on similar missions, including the rescue of 13 lions from a Romanian zoo in 2010. At Yorkshire Wildlife Park, the lions will be evaluated and rehabilitated before being introduced to the public.

Staff members, including Colin Northcott, the deputy head of carnivores, expressed their eagerness to see the lions adapt to their new environment. The park plans to share the progress of Aysa and her cubs through social media updates as they begin their new life in the safety and comfort of the Lion Country reserve. According to Natalia Popova from Wild Animal Rescue and John Minion, Chief Executive of the park, the relocation signifies a hopeful future for the lions away from the conflict in Ukraine, underscoring the park’s ongoing dedication to animal welfare and sanctuary.