Believed to be one of the largest big cat rescues ever, Directors at Yorkshire Wildlife Park initiated a campaign to raise £150,000 to save the lions back in August, after visiting the big cats in Romania and being appalled at what they found. “They are such magnificent animals and despite the poor facilities, their spirit was still evident.” John Minion, Animal Director.
By the New Year, the appeal still had £25,000 to raise towards the rescue costs, but Yorkshire wanted to bring the lions to the UK a.s.a.p. on welfare grounds, as the animals’ health was deteriorating due to the cold winter conditions in Oradea.
On 9th February 2010, a team of vets and experts from Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Shepreth Wildlife Park and Twycross Zoo, all members of the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA), flew out to Romania to initiate the rescue. This was a challenging and dangerous operation in difficult conditions, as up to five lions were kept in each enclosure, which were as small as 12’ x 15’, but the team worked quickly in sub zero temperatures to tranquilise the individual lions and move them into separate flight crates.
Rebecca Willers, Animal Manager at Shepreth Wildlife Park, was first contacted about the rescue last year, and asked if she would consider being on the rescue team. Having just flown back herself from working with anti-poaching patrols in Sumatra helping to save the last few tigers in Indonesia, she didn’t hesitate to sign up!
“The experience has been immeasurable, to see the horrific conditions that these magnificent creatures were kept, and then to know that you are there that day to take them away from this, is truly inspiring. You can see the Romanian keepers do care for these animals, they simply do not have the money to look after them, but the lions shouldn’t have to endure these kind of conditions, so thank goodness the UK has zoo’s which are in a position to help create a better future for these cats”
The lions faced a four-hour journey by road to Budapest Airport, and left Oradea Zoo under a police escort, complete with blue lights and sirens.
Once they are settled into their new home, all thirteen lions will require a lot of veterinary care and rehabilitation before they can fully enjoy the nine-acre reserve that is currently being landscaped for them at Yorkshire Wildlife Park
The project received over 12,000 public donations, totaling over £126,000, which was close to the target of £150,000.
