A pair of lionesses, Luna and Plusza, have made their way to Five Sisters Zoo in West Calder, Scotland, after being rescued from a conflict zone in Ukraine. The four-year-old lionesses arrived at the zoo on Wednesday night, marking the end of a distressing journey that started in eastern Ukraine in 2022.
The animals were saved from an area heavily impacted by shelling in Ukraine and were previously kept by a private owner. After their rescue, they received medical care and were then relocated to a zoo in Poland before being transported through Belgium to finally reach safety in Scotland. Five Sisters Zoo officials have mentioned that Luna and Plusza will receive optimal care in their purpose-built habitat to help them recover from their ordeal.
Gary Curran, the Head of Carnivores at Five Sisters Zoo, expressed the zoo’s commitment to providing a second chance at life for the lionesses. He stated, “The safe arrival of Luna and Plusza underscores our commitment to giving lions a second chance at life.”
This rescue operation adds to Five Sisters Zoo’s history of aiding animals in need. In 2015, the zoo received four lions that had been suffering in a travelling circus. The zoo is now allowing visitors to make donations to support Luna and Plusza’s initial husbandry and veterinary care.
In a separate wildlife update, Edinburgh Zoo recently welcomed a pygmy hippo calf named Haggis. The female calf was born on October 30 to parents Otto and Gloria. The zoo continues to be a centre for conservation efforts and the preservation of endangered species.
The story of Luna and Plusza’s journey highlights the importance of animal welfare and rehabilitation efforts in the face of conflict and adversity. These lionesses now have a chance to live out the rest of their days in peace under the care of dedicated professionals at Five Sisters Zoo.