Witness an extraordinary moment as a solitary orphaned lion, saved from the turmoil in Ukraine, catches sight of fellow lions at Yorkshire Wildlife Park. Oleg, accompanied by his siblings Rafael and Shanti, were recently rescued from Kyiv and brought to Yorkshire Wildlife Park in the UK.
Oleg, rescued from private ownership, has a fear of humans due to his solitary upbringing. In contrast, Rafael and Shanti were discovered with their ailing mother. After a 1,700-mile journey from Kyiv to Doncaster in separate crates, the trio reunited for the first time in a ‘mesh meet,’ leaving Oleg captivated.
The Wildlife Foundation, the park’s affiliated charity, successfully raised funds to cover the specialized transportation costs for the journey. Currently in isolation, the lions are undergoing preparations to integrate with the other rescued lions at the park.
A spokesperson for Yorkshire Wildlife Park expressed optimism, stating, “The initial signs from Oleg are very positive, indicating his desire for companionship. This heartwarming moment underscores the vital nature of this rescue effort.”
Charlotte Macdonald, the Director of Animals, commented, “It’s still early days, and we are uncertain of how the other two lions will react. Currently, they appear slightly apprehensive about meeting Oleg, but with time and patience, we hope they will become more receptive.”
Oleg, rescued as a cub from private ownership during the conflict escalation in the Sumy region, craves connections with other lions, having been raised by humans.
Meanwhile, siblings Rafael and Shanti, were discovered near their emaciated mother, a lioness abandoned in a neglected private collection in the Kharkiv region.
The urgency of their evacuation was emphasized by staff at the Kyiv rescue and rehabilitation center, citing the lions’ distress amidst the ongoing shelling in the region.
Finally reaching Doncaster on Saturday after an arduous journey, the lions now have the opportunity for a fresh start.
The hope is for the trio to eventually form a pride and dwell together in the expansive five-acre enclosure. The initial mesh meet marks the commencement of the process to introduce the three young lions.
This marks the third lion rescue mission undertaken by Yorkshire Wildlife Park, which has welcomed a total of 17 lions into Lion Country over the years, featuring three dedicated reserves within the seven-acre habitat.
The Wildlife Foundation has been pivotal in raising funds to support the rescue, transportation, and rehabilitation of these lions.
The park’s initial lion rescue in 2010 saw the arrival of 13 African lions, garnering international acclaim for providing a new home to lions rescued from distressing conditions in Romania.
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