Four lionesses rescued from war-torn Ukraine have found temporary homes in Belgian zoos, as they await a permanent home in the UK.
UK-based charity The BigCat Sanctuary has organised the rescue of five Ukrainian big cats. The charity has so far raised more than £400,000 (approximately €479,000) to retrieve the animals from Ukraine and build a new home for them in Kent in southern England.
Four of these big cats have made it as far as Belgium, and are temporarily being hosted in facilities across the country. Pairi Daiza Zoo in Hainaut has welcomed young lionesses Lira and Amani. A third lioness, Vanda, is staying in Planckendael Zoo in Mechelen, while a fourth has been in Limburg since August.
Sisters Lira and Amani are currently in quarantine at the Pairi Daiza zoo in Wallonia, away from public view, as they recover from their 1,300 km journey from the Wild Animal Rescue Center in Kyiv. They will soon be introduced to their temporary habitat in the Kingdom of Ganesha section of the zoo.
The two lionesses were likely bred illegally, and destined to be exploited for photographic and cuddling purposes. Pairi Daiza Zoo said that the pair of animals were rescued thanks to "amazing collaboration" between The BigCat Sanctuary, International Fund for Animal Protection (IFAW) and Cross-Border Animal Services (CBAS).
Meanwhile, in Planckendael Zoo in Flanders, caretaker Frederik said that lioness Vanda will be well taken care of. The one-year-old lioness was kept in an apartment in Ukraine, without sunlight or exposure to the outdoors, and was "severely malnourished".
Also rescued from Ukraine, lion Rori has been staying at the Wildlife Aid Centre in Oudsbergen in Limburg since August (and has reportedly been keeping local residents awake with his roar).
It is expected that the purpose built lion sanctuary in Kent will be finished later this year. Rori, Lira, Amani and Vanda will be transported to the UK to join lioness Yuna, who has already arrived there from Ukraine.
