Two lions, Nikola and Vasylyna, discovered as malnourished cubs on the streets of Montenegro and Ukraine respectively, have been relocated to a sanctuary in South Africa.
Global animal welfare organization Four Paws orchestrated the transfer of Nikola and Vasylyna from the Netherlands, where they had been housed since 2022, to the Lionsrock Sanctuary on April 26.
Nikola, found in Budva, Montenegro in February 2022, was a mere cub at the time, abandoned and in dire need of medical attention. Similarly, Vasylyna, discovered in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine in August 2022, displayed signs of malnutrition and muscle underdevelopment.
Both lions had been under private ownership, with Nikola’s origins and owner remaining unknown. With the intervention of local organizations and authorities, Four Paws assumed custody of the lions, providing them with care and rehabilitation at the Felida Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands.
Now, having recovered and rehabilitated, Nikola and Vasylyna have embarked on a journey to their new home in South Africa, where they will reside at the Lionsrock Sanctuary, supported by the ongoing efforts of Four Paws in safeguarding the welfare of vulnerable wildlife.