28.9.2025
Yesterday (27th of September) three rescued lions – Oleg, Rafael and Shanti – arrived in the Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
Fundraising target reached to help stranded lions in Ukraine. A charity appeal has raised the funds needed to help bring three lions stranded in war-torn Ukraine to safety at award-winning Yorkshire Wildlife Park. The youngsters are thought to be about 1 year old.
Oleg was rescued as a cub from private owners who fled the Sumy region during the escalation of war. He was raised by humans but longs for connections with other lions.
Siblings Rafael and Shanti were found in the Kharkiv region next to their dying mother, a lioness who had been abandoned in a private menagerie and starved.
This park has already offered a home for a lion family rescued in Ukraine. Mama Aysa and her cubs Teddi, Santa and Emi.
This is Teddi
Since the arrival in YWP the family has increased with Three new family members – Jabari, Felix and Nala.
The cubs are growing and developing well and can eat solid food.
They are treated with meat. Sometimes there are small arguments about the meat …
… but they can eat side by side, too. 🙂
Thank you so much, YWP, for taking such good care of us!
We’re sure the ‘new’ lions will be happy here just like we are.
Dear Mervi!
Thank you for the good news from YWP.It is great that the young lions from Ukraine are rescued. They found a good home in YWP.
Hugs
Ludmila
Vielen Dank für die wunderbare und sehr berührende Nachricht!!
Es ist ein Silberstreifen am Horizont, dass es solche guten Nachrichten gibt!!😊
Ich hoffe sehr,dass die drei kleinen Löwenkinder Oleg, Rafael und Shanti ein gutes Leben im YWP haben werden!!!💝
Dear Mervi!
I am delighted for the rescued lions and that the little ones have a future again.I was quite shocked to learn that they came from private ownership.
I hope that the wars and killing in Ukraine and the Middle East will finally and quickly come to an end!
However, when I look at the warmongers and profiteers responsible for these wars and killings, I could despair.
Lord, throw some brains from heaven!
“War, what is it good for? Absolutely nothing!…”
Hugs
Anke
Schön, dass die jungen Löwen evakuiert werden konnten! 🙂
Ein großes Glück für die kleinen Löwen, die nun ein gutes Leben haben werden!
Dass immer noch Menschen Wildtiere im Ptivatbesitz halten können ist ein Skandal.