Family of lions rescued from Russia’s bombs find peace in Yorkshire
A family of lions rescued from Russia’s bombing in Ukraine has been released into their reserve at Yorkshire Wildlife Park after several weeks of rehabilitation.
Mother Aysa and her three 18-month-old cubs finally got to feel the grass under their paws and were able explore their reserve.
Rescued from the war-torn Donetsk region in Ukraine, they finally arrived at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster, in March after nine months of being held in sanctuary in Poland.
Due to the facilities there, the youngsters grew up separated from their mother without seeing the sky or having the stimulation of the outside world. Now, that has changed.
After travelling 2,000 miles across Europe the lions settled into their new Yorkshire home quickly and mother Aysa was then reunited with her cubs.
Now all four are enjoying the outside world in the expansive reserves of Lion Country, originally built for another group of rescued lions that came from Romania and the last two of which still live at the park.
Colin Northcott, deputy section head of carnivores, said: “This was the moment we have all been waiting for. I am completely overjoyed that it is finally happening – we have been working so hard to get to this point. Mum Aysa and her cubs have all done so well with adjusting to their new home, I feel like a proud dad!
“The lions will certainly love seeing their new surroundings.
“I cannot wait to see them running around, playing and enjoying new experiences such walking on grass or seeing their reflections in the lake, as well as watching the birds flying in the sky.
“It will be incredible and I am sure that they will become firm favourites with our visitors.”
Yorkshire Wildlife Park was built on land formerly occupied by the 260-acre Brockholes Farm Visitor Centre and Riding School. It opened in 2009.
It has a rehabilitation centre which helps to educate visitors on the park’s global conservation efforts and rescue work focused on animals in poor conditions in other collections.
Over the years, the centre has exhibited several rescued species in a series of large, temporary exhibits. The rehomed species are often held until they can move elsewhere in the park, or until new homes in other zoos are found.