In Sandstone, Minnesota, four lion cubs orphaned from war torn Ukraine arrived on Tuesday at the Wildcat Sanctuary after an arduous journey through bomb, airborne attacks and on ground fighting.
The male cub named Taras, and three females named Stefania, Lesya and Prada are approximately four to five months of age and had spent the last few weeks at the Poznan Zoo in Poland before reaching their final destination in the United States.
I have such amazing news!!! With the help of so many, the minute the permits came through, we were finally able to fly the four lion cubs from Poland to Minnesota.
They’re here today, safe at the sanctuary, and we’re ecstatic. I know you must be, too! So many have been with us for every step of this international rescue.
Most know the 4-month-old siblings Taras (male), Stefania and Lesya, along with 6-month-old Prada, have spent the past month at the Poznan Zoo in Poland.
We’re so grateful for the excellent care they received there, after their long 36-hour journey out of the bombing and drone attacks in Ukraine. They’ve been growing very fast while at the zoo!
Wildcat Sanctuary
The cubs had been born at a breeding facility in Ukraine during the war and were left orphaned at only a few weeks of age. The rescue efforts began in September with the help of the International Fund for Animal Welfare. The animals had been surrendered as part of a legal crackdown on illegal animal trading. IFAW rescue manager, Meredith Whitney went above and beyond in efforts to rescue the orphaned cubs, and at times feared the intricate arrangements would not materialize in saving their lives.
Having traveled a total of almost 7,000 miles, their arrival marks the final step in this arduous journey. We’d loaded them up in the middle of the night in Poland and now were unloading them in the middle of the night in Minnesota.
Wildcat Sanctuary
The Minnesota sanctuary sits on 40 acres and is home to more than 100 lions, tigers and other wild animals. The facility is not open to the public.
How relieved we were to see those little paws step out into their forever home. And to see them playing, so happy to be here, and Prada with her pride…the feeling of joy is hard to put into words!
Now, they have warm indoor bedrooms and a large habitat to explore in the Pride Prairie section of the sanctuary where our other lions live. Let their wild at heart life begin!!
While these cubs have a secure future, many big cats—in captivity and in the wild—face new and increasing threats to their survival, including the exotic pet trade these four cubs were victims of.
My hope is to continue working with IFAW and members of the Big Cat Sanctuary Alliance to save more big cats from war-stricken Ukraine.
Wildcat Sanctuary
Each cub costs $10,000 a year and their life expectancy is 20+ years. If you would like to sponsor one, please click here for more information.
Check out the video of the cubs having a snack:
https://www.facebook.com/wildcatsanctuary/videos/594474819346966
Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook for the latest animal related news.
