Big cats and bears from Argentina, help is on the way. That’s the word from the global animal welfare organisation, FOUR PAWS. The organisation has started the first phase of its emergency mission at the former Zoo Luján in Argentina. The zoo was closed five years ago due to serious animal welfare concerns.
“In August 2025, FOUR PAWS and the Environmental Control Brigade of the National Undersecretariat of the Environment conducted an initial visual assessment of the animals at former Zoo Luján. Following this visit, FOUR PAWS took over responsibility for the care of the big cats and bears at the site.”
Big cats and bears from Argentina, help is on the way
Veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil, who leads the FOUR PAWS emergency mission in Argentina, says they have serious concerns over the animals’ safety, health, and well-being. Some of these animals require critical attention. He has stressed that it is vital for them to check the health status of each animal to ensure their immediate needs are addressed.
Veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil said, “To do this, every lion, tiger and bear must be sedated and moved to a temporary veterinary field unit on-site.”
Emergency mission underway in Argentina to help over 60 zoo animals
According to FOUR PAWS, veterinarians and wildlife experts are now on-site, providing over 60 big cats and two bears with urgent care. They say the month-long veterinary assessment presents a major logistical challenge. This is the largest of big cats in a zoo ever carried out in such a short timeframe in Latin America. It’s reported that many enclosures at the former zoo are small and overcrowded. They house large groups of big cats, often lions and tigers together. At this stage, the bears are kept separately, but also in confined conditions.
“The MoU enables FOUR PAWS to act as a neutral consultant providing expertise to all authorities and legislators to assess the keeping conditions of big cats in Argentina,” says Luciana D’Abramo.
FOUR PAWS provides urgent care for big cats and bears at the former Zoo Luján
The Agreement with the Argentine government eases the current animal welfare emergency at the former Zoo Luján and marks the first step in delivering a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU). The Chief Programs Officer of FOUR PAWS, Luciana D’Abramo and the Argentine Secretary of Tourism, Environment, and Sports, Daniel Scioli, signed the agreement for the big cats to be better protected.
“The MoU outlines the collective goal to end the private keeping and commercial trade of big cats in the country.”
Additional information about the local branch of the organisation
FOUR PAWS has been active in Argentina in recent years, carrying out several big cat rescue missions. The Public Relations Officer for FOUR PAWS, South Africa, Deidré Daniels says, in 2022, FOUR PAWS rescued four Bengal tigers – Mafalda, Gustavo, Messi and Sandro. They had been confined in train carriages for over 15 years.
“We know that many big cats in Argentina live in inappropriate conditions and face ongoing animal welfare concerns.”
In a complex, multi-continent mission, they were relocated to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. In 2023, FOUR PAWS rescued two neglected tigers from an illegal breeding farm in Balcarce. With no suitable sanctuaries for big cats available in Argentina, the animals were transferred to Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife in Jordan.
Additional information about the international body
FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence. It was founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends. The organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding.
“Where needed, we will work with the government to relocate animals to species-appropriate environments.”
FOUR PAWS’ sustainable campaigns and projects focus on companion animals. This includes stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals. The wild animals include bears, big cats, and orangutans, which are kept in inappropriate conditions, as well as in disaster and conflict zones. They have offices in several countries, including South Africa. There are also sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries.
