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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.

Pic: Big Cat Sanctuary
Image: Yuna in her new habitat. Pic: The Big Cat Sanctuary
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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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Yuna taking her first steps outside. Pic: Big Cat Sanctuary
Image: Yuna taking her first steps outside. Pic: The Big Cat Sanctuary
Pic: Big Cat Sanctuary
Image: Pic: The Big Cat Sanctuary

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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Yuna growing more accustomed to her new life. Pic: Big Cat Sanctuary
Image: Yuna growing more accustomed to her new life. Pic: The Big Cat Sanctuary

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."