On 9 March, Tsar and Jamil embarked on an over 8,000-kilometer journey from their temporary home in Belgium to their new “forever home” at the Born Free sanctuary in the South African Shamwari private reserve.
The brothers, who are unfit to be released into the wild, immediately sought shelter in a house within their enclosure. Previously, they lived and slept on concrete. Born in an Ukrainian zoo, and separated from their mother at a young age, the brothers were initially exploited as tourist attractions on a farm where they endured malnutrition and neglect. Thanks to the intervention of local animal welfare organisations, they were relocated to a wildlife rescue center in Kiev, where their health issues, including calcium deficiency and bone fractures, were immediately addressed.
The 2022 Ukrainian conflict posed new challenges for the animals, but thanks to combined efforts from the Ukrainian rescue center, a Polish zoo and Belgium’s Natuurhulpcentrum (NHC), the lions were safely evacuated. At the NHC, they received necessary treatment and were rehabilitated while preparations were made for their journey to South Africa.
Much careful preparation was needed for the trip. The first step involved a drive to Luxembourg airport, followed by a flight to Johannesburg, courtesy of Cargolux as part of its partnership with Born Free. Following a 10-hour flight and a drive spanning over 1,000 kilometers, Tsar and Jamil ultimately reached the sanctuary. The Born Free team is closely monitoring their adjustment to their new habitat and hopes that the lions will soon explore their surroundings.
Despite some minor bruises resulting from the journey, the two lions should soon start enjoying some much needed sun-bathing under the South African sun. The sanctuary has a fantastic legacy of having provided fresh beginnings for 50 felines. This particular project, which also coincides with the sanctuary’s 40th birthday, underlines the charity’s commitment to wildlife rescue and rehabilitation. Tsar and Jamil are only the latest beneficiaries of these rescue missions that are not ready to stop just now.
