Tsar in his new "forever home" in South Africa;
Credit: © Born Free
The Born Free Foundation has reported that two lions rescued from Ukraine have now found safety in a sanctuary in South Africa, following a 13,000-kilometre journey from Belgium via Luxembourg.
Born into captivity in a Ukrainian zoo, lion brothers Tsar and Jamil, were rescued at the outbreak of war in Ukraine in early 2022 and taken to the Natuurhulpcentrum wildlife rescue centre in Belgium. Now aged three, the brothers have just completed their epic journey to Born Free's Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa.
The Born Free Foundation described the rehoming process as a "logistical feat" relying on the actions and expertise of many individuals and organisations, including its air transport partner Cargolux. The charity noted that its experts and specialists, together with their partners, undertook "many hundreds of hours of planning, evaluation and care [...] to ensure the safety, comfort and security of the lions at every stage of their journey."
This journey began on the evening of Friday 8 March 2024, when the brothers were loaded into their custom-made travel crates. The lions first travelled by road to Luxembourg Airport, before departing for Johannesburg on a specialist flight, provided free of charge by Cargolux. After ten hours in the air, the lions touched down in South Africa. After being met and checked over by Born Free’s vet, Tsar and Jamil's overland road trip to South Africa's Eastern Cape began.
The lions covered over 1,000 kilometres on their journey from Johannesburg, supervised by Born Free's expert animal care team, who stopped regularly to check on the lions and ensure they had adequate water. When they reached their destination, i.e. Born Free's Big Cat Sanctuary at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, the team expressed their delight when both lions dashed out of their crates into the natural bush of their 2.5 acre enclosure.
Half an hour later, the Born Free Animal Care team reportedly located the lions reunited, lying together in the night house of their enclosure. The Born Free Foundation acknowledged that Tsar and Jamil will likely need some time to adjust to their new home. The Born Free team have assured they will be monitoring the lions closely and expressed their hope that the lions will start exploring their new "forever home" soon. The charity added that both lions had "small bruises and scrapes" on their face, "as can happen after a long transfer", although the on-site vet said they were no reason for concern and "should heal quickly in the African sun".
Tsar and Jamil join some 50 big cats given new lives in the sanctuary of Shamwari, by the Born Free Foundation, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year.
Maggie Balaskas, Born Free's Head of Rescue and Care, commented: "After a traumatic start in life, and having already lived in five different homes, it's a huge relief to know that Tsar and Jamil have arrived safely at their forever home. Born Free is incredibly grateful to each and every person who has been part of Tsar and Jamil’s journey, especially the courageous individuals who moved them out of Ukraine to safety and then from Poland on to Belgium, where the wonderful team at Natuurhulpcentrum have been caring for them. In our 40th year of fighting for wild animals, I'm delighted Born Free has been able to provide the last piece of the puzzle by giving Tsar and Jamil safety and sanctuary at our Big Cat Sanctuary at Shamwari; an achievement only made possible with the help of our dedicated supporters and wonderful corporate partners [...]."
Richard Forson, Cargolux President and CEO, added: "Cargolux is proud to be the air transport partner of Born Free for the relocation of the two lions that have been exploited in captivity all their lives to their new home in South Africa, where they will have the opportunity to live in an expansive sanctuary setting, surrounded by their natural habitats. Cargolux is a strong advocate for animal welfare, and supporting projects such as this one reflects our commitment to the cause. We are proud to be able to use our 50 years' experience in live animal transport to return these majestic creatures to a natural environment."
(Photo: Tsar and Jamil in Belgium; Credit: © Natuurhulpcentrum)
