The ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine is causing extreme damage and depriving millions of people of access to food and water. The war affects not only people, but also animals. In an effort to secure the future of Ukraine’s lions, Warriors of Wildlife rescued 11 big cats and moved them to rescue centers in the US and South Africa.
According to a report from Metro.uk, the big cats in the hold of a Boeing Dreamliner were airborne after being taken by road to temporary shelters in Romania, where they waited for several months to flee.
Seven lions and two cubs were flown to the Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado after being rescued by two animal rescue organizations in a complex operation. Another two lions were rescued by two British men and they will be transported to a lush reserve in South Africa, the report said.
Lionel De Lang, founder and director of Warriors of Wildlife told the publication: “The lions will be flown to Doha and from there the cats will be divided into two shipments, one to the Wild Animal Sanctuary in the United States and Mir and Simba going to my shelter in South Africa, Simbonga,’ he said. “There has never been a rescue of so many lions from a war zone and we are so grateful to have come to this point.
According to reports, the lions will be heavily stunned and placed in crates before the trip.
“There has never been a rescue of so many lions from a war zone and we are so grateful that we have come to this point. We are extremely grateful to all the governments involved in processing the permits for the lions to travel, it is amazing to have it all done in four months,” said Mr. Lang.