
Aysa, a lioness stranded amidst the wreckage of war in Ukraine, and her brood may soon find shelter on British soil. The esteemed lioness who suffered the ravages of war was left behind at a private establishment in Ukraine’s Donetsk region, coinciding with the onset of Russia’s invasion. Tragically, Aysa was with cub at the time she was abandoned.
She was transferred to a different facility within Ukraine, where she brought forth her offspring – Teddi, Emi, and Santa. Offering a beacon of hope, the renowned Yorkshire Wildlife Park is in the process of securing permission to transfer the lion family to the UK before the festive season.
The quartet is currently housed at Poznan Zoo in Poland, a temporary safe haven before their hoped-for relocation. The prevailing sentiment at the Wildlife park, nestled near Doncaster in South Yorkshire, is one of optimism and desire to provide a nurturing and progressive future for these survivors.
Earlier this month, the Wildlife park mourned the loss of Simba, a 14-year-old rescue from Oradea Zoo in Romania, who passed away owing to age-related health complications. Simba, along with 12 other lions, were liberated from deplorable conditions, imprisoned in minuscule cages with concrete floors, symbolizing a bleak existence.
The responsibility of aiding the transition of Aysa and her cubs has fallen on the efficient shoulders of Deputy Section Head of Carnivores, Colin Northcott. His visit to Poland allowed him to evaluate the condition of the distraught family and devise a robust plan for their hopeful shift to Yorkshire.
The lion family was initially apprehensive, but over time, a glimmer of trust began to surface towards Mr. Northcott. An official statement from the park expressed, “Lion Country at Yorkshire Wildlife Park has been envisaged as a sanctuary for beings such as these. It is our privilege to extend a home to these incredible souls, with the fervent hope of making a tangible difference in their lives”.