Shell-shocked lioness Yuna rescued from Ukraine takes first steps outside
Yuna the lioness lived in a 3x4m concrete space in a private home in Ukraine before Russia's invasion and after missiles exploded nearby she suffered shellshock, psychological issues and coordination problems.
Thursday 29 August 2024 12:19, UK
A shell-shocked lioness rescued from Ukraine has taken her first steps outside in her new home in a Kent sanctuary.
Yuna is said to have shellshock, psychological issues and coordination problems after missiles exploded near her enclosure in January, The Big Cat Sanctuary said.
The three-year-old arrived at the sanctuary in England on 17 August after a lengthy trip across Europe.
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But she spent the first week inside her enclosure before finally venturing out on Thursday.
The sanctuary said before Russia's invasion of Ukraine, Yuna had been kept in a 3x4m concrete space in a private home.
Eventually, she was discovered and taken to Wild Animal Rescue.
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The Big Cat Sanctuary, along with partners, worked to evacuate Yuna and a male lion before taking her on a five-day journey to the UK, driving across Europe.
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"All the hard work has paid off for this very moment. Rescuing Yuna from the war in Ukraine, giving her a second chance at life, and now seeing her feel fresh air and grass for the first time - it's incredibly special and beautiful," Cam Whitnall, project lead at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said.
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"It's been an incredible team effort from everyone involved, and we're so pleased that she's settled in so well here at The Big Cat Sanctuary."