Eleven lions have been moved from the Sudan conflict zone to a sanctuary in South Africa where they will live out their lives in peace.
South Africa (19 February 2024) – Sudan is currently facing heavy conflict which has seen the need for organisations to evacuate animals that are being housed in the capital of Khartoum. In November last year, Four Paws International evacuated 48 wild animals from the area. They were transported to Wad Madani for safekeeping, and as of last week, eleven lions were brought to South Africa, where they are being kept at a big cat sanctuary.
The conflict has been ongoing and these lions were left traumatised, weak and emaciated. They responded well to the care offered to them by the Four Paws teams and once their strength was up, we transferred to the care of Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa. Here they will continue to recover.
As Four Paws has a strict no-breeding policy, the rescued lions will be “spayed” to avoid any breeding in captivity. They are being placed in four interconnecting enclosures, separated by gender and behaviour and once settled in, the male lions will undergo vasectomies.
“We are glad that the tireless efforts of the FOUR PAWS team, with the support of the Sudanese authorities and our global network, paid off. These eleven lions are ambassadors for hope, and they symbolise a need for change in how humans treat animals.
Sadly, more and more conflicts arise all around the world, causing humanitarian crises but also posing a threat to captive animals dependent on human care. We work globally not only to rescue wild animals from cruel and dangerous conditions but also to prevent their suffering in the first place.
As we see the lions step on the grass in their new home after being stuck in the middle of a conflict zone for months, we are dedicated to care for and protect them for the rest of their lives. They will hear no more sounds of fighting or witness suffering among each other, but enjoy the natural surroundings of our South African sanctuary,” says FOUR PAWS CEO and President Josef Pfabigan.
Lionsrock Big Cat Sanctuary was chosen because it was established by Four Paws in 2006. It is one of 13 sanctuaries around the world, that works alongside the organisation, taking in rescued big cats, including lions, tigers and leopards.
There are currently over 100 big cats at the sanctuary, rescued from private keeping, circuses, zoos or conflict zones all across the globe.
The sanctuary encompasses a total area of 1,250 hectares. The land is also inhabited by other typical South African species that live freely like zebras and antelopes, as well as a wide variety of bird species that have found refuge on the property.
The eleven lions will make this their forever home, where they will get to live out their lives in peace and comfort.
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