Young lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine now safe at new sanctuary home
Yuna, who had been living in a small concrete space in a private home in Ukraine, felt grass beneath her paws for the first time in her life when she arrived at the Big Cat Sanctuary in the UK.
Yuna in care at Wild Animal Rescue before being evacuated. Credit: The Big Cat Sanctuary
A young lioness is now safe at her new sanctuary home after being rescued from a warzone in Ukraine.
Three-year-old Yuna had been previously kept in a private home in Ukraine, where she lived in a small 3x4m space with a concrete floor.
Earlier this year, Yuna’s owner surrendered the animal to Ukrainian rescue group Wild Animal Rescue. A vet examination found that Yuna had wounds due to living on a cold concrete floor, and that she was overweight due to a poor diet.
Rescuers said that she was in such bad health that she could not stand on her feet, and it took some time before she was able to walk around her new enclosure.
Yuna continued to recover under the care of experts at a facility by Wild Animal Rescue. However, a large-scale Russian missile attack earlier this year in January resulted in nearby explosions and debris blasting near to her enclosure. This caused Yuna a serious concussion, known as shell shock, and a complete loss of coordination.
It took several months for Yuna to recover and gain her confidence back.
Now, after the trauma of living in a warzone, Yuna has a second chance at life after a new sanctuary home was identified for her at the Big Cat Sanctuary in the UK.
Rescuers evacuated the lioness on a five-day journey spanning over 1,400 miles from war-torn Ukraine to the new UK sanctuary, where Yuna has now felt grass beneath her paws for the first time in her life.
A sedated Yuna in transit during her evacuation. Credit: The Big Cat Sanctuary
According to the sanctuary, Yuna spent a week acclimating to her new surroundings while the animal care team helped build her trust and confidence.
Despite her traumatic past, Yuna has already begun to reveal a “playful” and “curious nature” at the sanctuary. She has been observed exploring her environment, and engaging in natural behaviors like scratching trees and logs.
“All the hard work has paid off for this very moment, to rescue Yuna from the war, give her a second chance at life, and to now feel fresh air and grass for the first time in her life is so special and beautiful”, said Cam Whitnall, Project Lead at The Big Cat Sanctuary.
Yuna stepping out in her new sanctuary home. Credit: The Big Cat Sanctuary
Like many animals bred in captivity, captive big cats like Yuna cannot be released back into the wild and therefore reputable sanctuaries are the best option for them to live a peaceful life.
While Yuna continues to recover and settle in, attention also turns to other lions in Ukraine that need rehoming.
Yuna is said to be the first of five lions that The Big Cat Sanctuary will offer a sanctuary space to, with homes currently being built to house future arrivals.
The other lions have already been rescued by Wild Animal Rescue, a centre in Kyiv, Ukraine. With the support of the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), the lions have all now been moved to safety and are living in temporary homes in Belgium while the sanctuary finishes construction.
Among the remaining four lions are male lion Rori, who has also suffered shell shock, as well as two young sisters Amani and Lira who are thought to be around one year old.
Once these big cats are moved, it brings the total number to 21 big cats being rescued and safely rehomed by the collaboration between Wild Animal Rescue and IFAW.
“It’s a scary time for everyone here in Ukraine”, said Natalia Popova, who runs the Wild Animal Rescue in Kyiv. “These big cats must have been so frightened and confused – some were born during the conflict and know no life other than the constant chaos of war, some have been directly impacted by shelling. I am relieved these lions now have a better life ahead”.
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