After a journey of almost 20 hours, a lioness, a lion, and three cubs from Ukraine were given refuge at the Poznan Zoo in Poland on Tuesday (June 13).
The operation to evacuate the lions was a collaboration between non-governmental organisations and the Polish zoo.
The lioness, named Asya, was rescued while pregnant from a private breeder in the Donetsk region, the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) said in a press release detailing the operation.
She gave birth to three cubs named Teddi, Emi, and Santa in October.
The male lion, Viseris, also rescued from the same breeding facility, is believed to be unrelated to the others.
The lions were given up by their owner who was unable to care from them amidst the impact of the Russian invasion.
Wild Animal Rescue, in collaboration with IFAW, facilitated their rescue and transportation to Poznan Zoo, where they will undergo a month-long quarantine period.
The lioness and cubs might find refuge in the United Kingdom after their quarantine ends, IFAW said.
Źródło: TVN24 News in English, Reuters
Źródło zdjęcia głównego: Zoo w Poznaniu