Lions who 'survived against all odds' in Ukraine may soon be rescued in UK wildlife park

Three young lions stranded in war-torn Ukraine are being rescued by a British wildlife charity and park. Yorkshire Wildlife Park is appealing to the British public to help bring stricken Oleg, Rafael and Shanti, to safety.

The trio who have “survived against all odds” are currently in a rescue and rehabilitation centre in Kyiv and are thought to be about nine months old. The lions have been through hell since they were born, with siblings Rafael and Shanti discovered in the Kharkiv region next to their dying mother. The tragic lioness who had been abandoned in a private menagerie and starved.

The third lion, Oleg, is all alone after being rescued as a cub from private owners, who fled the Sumy Oblast region during the escalation of war. YWP has been told he was raised by humans but desperately in need of connections with other lions.

READ MORE: Major 'two bag' hand luggage rule change takes step forward - what it means for Brits

READ MORE: Cole Palmer's biggest Chelsea pal backs 'little superstar' to handle new spotlight

NowThe WildLife Foundation, the charity based at the park, is launching an appeal to fund their rescue and the 2000-mile journey to Doncaster. It is the third rescue undertaken by Yorkshire Wildlife Park, which has previously seen 17 rescue lions brought to Lion Country, its seven-acre reserve.

Director of Animals, Charlotte MacDonald, revealed: “We are delighted to be able to support another lion rescue and save these beautiful lions who have not had the best start in life.

“Oleg and Rafael and Shanti will meet for the first time to live in a proper pride-like setting for the first time. Oleg currently lives alone and so we are looking forward to introducing him to the others.

“Rafael and Shanti survived against all odds and are now inseparable, gentle and curious around people. They will live safely together in their new home in Yorkshire.”

The park has a history of rescuing lions around the world, starting with a mercy mission to save 13 Romanian lions back in 2010. These lions were flown back to the UK after the British public backed the rescue. Sadly Carla and Crystal, the two remaining Romanian lions, recently died.

The success of this first rescue encouraged park bosses to take on a second lion rescue in 2024. The Mirror joined their experts to bring Aysa and her cubs, Emi, Santa and Teddi, now nearly three years old, back to the UK from Poland. They arrived at the Doncaster wildlife park after travelling more than 2,000 miles across six countries.

The lions were found abandoned in the Donetsk region of Ukraine after the Russian invasion. They were left cowering in fear amid the bombs, alone with no food and water. The little pride was taken to a rescue centre in Poland but the cubs had to be separated from mum.

For months they lived in concrete pens next to their mum but unable to see the sky or go outside because of a shortage of space. They are now thriving in Lion Country and Aysa has since given birth to three more cubs.

YWP CEO John Minion said: “We are looking forward to welcoming the new lions to the park and proud to be rescuing lions for the third time.”

The WildLife Foundation has played a key role in raising funds to support the rescues, transportations and rehabilitations of the lions.

Trustee Cheryl Williams said: “We are extremely proud of our previous rescues, and it is rewarding to see all of the lions settle into their home in Yorkshire

“We hope that Oleg, Rafael and Shanti will enjoy the quality of life they deserve here.

“We are really grateful for all donations to The Foundation. However big or small, they make a huge difference to animals around the world and our rescues would not have been possible without the support.”

To donate to The WildLife Foundation https://tip-app.fetchpay.com/get-payment/team/146