5 lions, saved from unsuitable and unsafe conditions in Romania, have arrived safely in South Africa

The 5, were part of a group of 7 lions saved, but 2 are still in the Netherlands, receiving care.

The director of FOUR PAWS in South Africa, Fiona Miles, says the animals will be released in the Eastern Free State at a lion sanctuary.

They go by the names of Roman, Vincent, Dolf, Geena and Ellie.

South Africa, Johannesburg | 2022 08 10 | Lion Ellie arrives at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, on her transfer to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem. Copyright: © FOUR PAWS

Reminiscing:

Thinking back, Miles remembered, that moment in November 2007 when the first lions from Austria arrived at the Big Cat Sanctuary, LIONSROCK, to be released there. The animals came from a former safari park in Gänserndorff in Austria and from a zoo in Romania.

“I was in tears when that first lion came out of the crate. I could not believe the plan finally came together,” said Miles.

She added, “We were still busy finishing off the construction work when the trucks with the lions were 20 kilometres from LIONSROCK. It took hard labour to make that first release possible.”

South Africa, Johannesburg | 2022 08 11 | Ellie is released into her enclosure at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary after being transferred from FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in The Netherlands at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem in South Africa. Copyright: © FOUR PAWS

For the love of animals:

The number of rescued big cats at the sanctuary has grown to more than 80 lions. There are also 23 tigers and 3 leopards.

LIONSROCK is a big cat sanctuary in South Africa and has been involved in many rescue projects.

Dr Christine Steyrer inspects a crate during the transfer of lions Roman, Dolf, Vincent, Ellie and Geena as they arrive at OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg, South Africa, en route to being released at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem. Copyright: © FOUR PAWS

They will now live the rest of their days under the African sun, said Miles.

“We do all we can to ensure the lives of these animals are extended,” she concluded.

Today is #WorldLionDay 🦁 and we are happy to be celebrating our lovely rescued #lions living in our sanctuaries and cooperation projects worldwide. 🌍
So far we rescued and given more than 220 #BigCats a second chance at life-166 of them were lions.
Thanks for your support!❤️ pic.twitter.com/Bj4llynobj

— FOUR PAWS (@fourpawsint) August 10, 2022

Behind the scenes:

Currently at FOUR PAWS South Africa, there’s a staff contingent of more than 40 members at the LIONSROCK sanctuary. They take care of the facility and its visitors, as well as the animals.

A team of 15 people work in Cape Town, where they create programmes and work on, among others, fundraising initiatives.

WATCH a rescue lion in a music video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0m8sHxpgCM8