Large wild cats shouldn’t be confined to zoos, especially in cramped cages with cold concrete floors.
That’s why it’s so inspiring to witness these lions get a new chance at life.
In October 2015, five lions were rescued from a closed zoo in Romania. Born in Italy in 2003, they had been relocated solely to entertain visitors.
Thanks to Four Paws International, an animal welfare organization dedicated to rescuing abused animals, these majestic big cats were granted the freedom they deserved.
In terrible condition
“A zoo was closed down and the five lions didn’t have anywhere to go,” Iona Dugler, the Director of Wild Animals at Four Paws, shared.
Fortunately, the organization learned about the situation and stepped in to rescue the animals, freeing them from the cramped cages where they had been confined for far too long.
The years spent in these conditions left the lions in poor health.
“The veterinarian that took care of them didn’t want to give up and didn’t accept the possibility that these animals will be put to sleep,” Iona Dugler explains.
Four Paws transported the lions over 15,000 miles (12,337 km) to their new sanctuary at Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. Here, they now have access to thousands of acres of tall grass where they can roam freely.
The lions joined 80 other big cats that were rescued from poor living conditions worldwide.
Along with the vast space to explore, the lions receive regular medical care and nutritious food, which will help ensure they live long and healthy lives.
Watch the video below to see the teamwork it took to transport the lions to their new home. Don’t miss the moment when the lions experience the feel of grass beneath their paws, breathe in the fresh African air, and enjoy their first day under the warm South African sun!
After spending decades confined behind iron bars in small, dirty cages, the lions were finally able to experience life in their natural environment.
