Meet Ruben; a 15-year-old lion who had been trapped in a tiny cage at an abandoned zoo at the Armenian-Azerbaijan border for the last five years. The zoo, once owned by a Russian oligarch who died, had relocated the other animals, but there was no place for Ruben.
Lions communicate with each other by roaring, except that years and years went by and Ruben, although he roared, there were no others to answer him.
A secret plan had been formulated to finally move Ruben to safety. The former oligarch’s family wanted Ruben moved to a better life, but the tensions in the region coupled by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, made negotiations with needed check points very difficult.
The lonely lion was finally able to travel, at which time veterinarians sedated him and stayed with him for the nine-hour journey to safety at a converted bear sanctuary near Armenia’s capital at Yerevan.
Two weeks ago, ADI President Jan Creamer, safely had Ruben in quarantine in a bear sanctuary (Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife & Cultural Assets).
Ruben has not heard another lion for five years since the private zoo he was in closed and he was left there alone. This morning, as he stepped out of his night house roaring, my heart ached. I cannot wait to see him at ADIWS when our pride roars back and when he sees other lions again. We are getting the processes underway to move him from Armenia to Africa – as ADI supporters know this can take several months we we will Go as fast as we can.
Jan Creamer ADI Facebook
Check out the video:
https://www.facebook.com/AnimalDefenders/videos/693125855673673
Because of Ruben’s age and lack of care for years, his health issues will be best treated in South Africa where modern medical technology is more available, including MRI scans, ophthalmologists and extended care services. He will also require dental surgery, but because of the dangers inherent in surgery and the lion’s age, veterinarians want to wait until he arrives at the South Africa sanctuary.
Ruben also has a neurological problem, potentially a spine or brain injury. He wobbles as he walks and sometimes his legs fold under him. He has small pupils (miosis), but he can see, reacts to people and has good hearing. Many thanks to Armenian veterinarian Dr Harutyn Hovhannisayn, who has examined Ruben, microchipped, given pre-export vaccinations and managed the tests and reports.
As Ruben’s health improves, arrangements will be made to accommodate his special needs ranging from wider and lower steps to enrichment toys only on the floor. Perhaps the best part of Ruben’s new home will be the sight and sounds of other lions and tigers.
Meanwhile good nutrition, heated rooms, a soft bed of hay and a larger enclosure has been making Ruben’s life much easier. Once he feels better, after arriving in South Africa, the lion will have over two acres of natural habitat to roll, relax and roar
We will happily let your know when Ruben roars back!
To help:
UK – https://donate.ad-international.org/ruben/
US – https://donate.adiusa.org/ruben/
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