A safe haven has been secured for two lions rescued from war-torn Ukraine.
Late Wednesday night, two 4-year-old lionesses, Luna and Plusza, arrived safely at their new home in the Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian, Scotland.
The war in Ukraine began in February 2022 when Russian President Vladimir Putin launched his offensive into the country. November 19 marked 1,000 days of the conflict.
The lionesses were first evacuated from an area in Eastern Ukraine affected by heavy shelling in 2022 and moved to an animal sanctuary in Belgium after traveling through Kyiv and Poland.
At Five Sisters Zoo in Scotland, Luna and Plusza have a new purpose-built habitat, which the zoo told Newsweek will give them the space and peace they need to recover and thrive following their challenging journey.
Video footage shared with Newsweek shows the lions arriving at their new home and then exploring their new habitat. After arriving at the zoo in crates at night, Luna and Plusza were gently placed in the habitat and we able to sniff around the next day.
Gary Curran, the Head of Carnivores at the Five Sisters Zoo, told Newsweek: "The safe arrival of Luna and Plusza underscores our commitment to giving lions a second chance at life."
"Our team is ready to provide the care and support they need to live out their lives in peace, just as we have done for others before them," Curran said.
Five Sisters Zoo began as a garden center run by landscape gardener Brian Curran and his wife, Shirley.
The animal lovers began re-homing a number of unwanted pets, eventually creating a small menagerie and an attraction for visitors. The zoo was officially established in 2005 with rabbits, guinea pigs, goats and pigs.
Since then, it has become home to over 180 species of birds, mammals and reptiles. It is also a haven for rescued and re-homed bears and lions saved from performing in traveling circuses.
The zoo embarked upon its rescue mission in October 2015, when it took in four lions from a traveling circus.
As of November 2024, the global population of wild lions is estimated to be between 20,000 and 25,000 individuals. This represents a significant decline from historical numbers. In 1970, Africa was home to approximately 92,000 lions.
African lions are primarily concentrated in East and Southern Africa, with Tanzania hosting some of the largest populations. The Asiatic lion, a distinct subspecies, has increased to about 674 individuals in India's Gir Forest.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) classifies lions as "vulnerable." They face threats such as habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and poaching. Conservation efforts include establishing protected areas, engaging local communities, and implementing anti-poaching laws. While some regions show success, such as India's rising Asiatic lion numbers, challenges persist, demanding continued global conservation focus.
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