A British wildlife park has welcomed three terrified lions rescued from war-torn Ukraine.
Oleg, Rafael and Shanti – all just one year old – arrived on Saturday (27 Sept) morning after an epic three-day, 1,700-mile journey from Kyiv.
The stricken big cats had spent months cowering at daily bomb blasts in a rescue and rehabilitation centre before being saved.
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Footage of the dramatic mission showed one lion snarling in fear before all three were sedated and loaded onto trucks, as reported by What’s The Jam.
The WildLife Foundation, based at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster, raised funds to cover the trip – which was delayed for 15 hours at the Polish border before the animals finally crossed the Channel by ferry.
Tearful rangers watched as the trio were freed from their crates and taken into their new home.
They’ll be checked by vets and kept inside before being let loose in the park’s seven-acre Lion Country reserve.
WildLife Foundation trustee Cheryl Williams said their arrival was “incredible”.
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She said: “To see Rafael and Shanti back together again was just beautiful.
“I am so happy and relieved.
“At least they are away from the bombing now.”
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Lions rescued last March from Ukraine quickly padded over to meet their “new neighbours”.
Ms Williams said they had since become “one big happy family” – and she hopes the same for the newcomers.
Head of Carnivores Bex Brown said she was “ecstatic” and “relieved” the lions were settling in.
Oleg was saved from private owners in Sumy after being hand-reared by humans but now craves lion company.
Rafael and Shanti were found beside their dying mother in Kharkiv, abandoned in a menagerie.
Crossborder Animal Services, based in the Netherlands, transported them, with boss Geert Wijnands saying: “They are tired because it’s been a long trip.
“But they are fine now.
“They will be happy here.”
As the trio padded into the lion house, the resident pride left their sunbathing spots to watch them arrive.
It’s the third major rescue by the park, which has now saved 17 lions since 2010.
The first mission saw 13 African lions rescued from Romania, winning international awards.
The second, in 2024, saved lioness Aysa and her cubs Emi, Santa and Teddi.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park CEO John Minion said: “We are delighted to be welcoming the new lions and proud to be rescuing for the third time.”
The Doncaster-based park, which puts conservation at the heart of its work, also gives visitors the chance to see rare species such as Amur leopards, giraffes, sea lions and black rhinos.
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