An animal sanctuary in Kent will be opening a rescue centre next month to provide a home for five lions which were rescued from war-torn Ukraine.
The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden will open the Lion Rescue Centre in March where lions Yuna, Rori, Vanda, Amani, and Lira will live.
Yuna – who has been at the sanctuary since last year – was found in Ukraine inside a 3×4 metre enclosure with a bare concrete floor and she could not stand on her feet.
Vanda was rescued from a flat where she was kept as a family pet. She had no access to sun or a suitable enclosure and was severely malnourished.
The sanctuary launched Big Cats in Crisis in May last year with a £500,000 fundraising target to help build the Lion Rescue Centre.
The sanctuary said construction of the centre faced significant challenges during the winter months, with heavy downpours creating tough, muddy conditions but it is on track for completion in March.
Cam Whitnall, Project Lead at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said: “This is it. Everything is coming together!
“All the hard work is paying off, and we are inching closer every day to completing the Lion Rescue Centre and welcoming all the lions.
“Our team have been counting down to this moment, and now our end goal and vision is finally within reach!”
Rori, Vanda, Amani, and Lira will embark on their long-awaited journey to The Big Cat Sanctuary in March, where they will be reunited with Yuna.
They have spent the past months in facilities offering temporary care across Belgium.
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