Lion cubs rescued from war-torn Ukraine hope to find new home at Minnesota wildcat sanctuary

WARSAW — Four lion cubs that “survived drone attacks and sporadic bombings” in Kyiv will likely find their new home at Minnesota’s The Wildcat Sanctuary.

According to WCCO, the sanctuary is working with the International Fund for Animal Welfare to relocate the cubs to the sanctuary located in rural Minnesota. The IFAW reached out to the refuge because they are known for big cat relocation, including four tigers that were moved from the “Tiger King” zoo in Oklahoma in August.

“There was a bit of serendipity in this rescue because we have an enclosure that is specifically designed for a pride of lions and the cubs are a male and three females,” Tammy Thies, the founder and executive director of the sanctuary, said.

According to Reuters, the lion cubs, all younger than four months, have already been transferred from Ukraine to the Poznan zoo in Western Poland as they await travel to the U.S.

“We were thrilled to be able to offer these cubs a beautiful, 1-acre habitat together and hope to welcome them home soon,” Thies said.

The animals were surrendered to the rescue organizations Wild Animal Rescue in Kyiv and VetCrew in Odesa.

The Minnesota sanctuary says that the process may take time to get the cubs to the U.S.

“We know there are more bumps in the road to come, but we committed to the long journey. Both for the animals, but also for the humans who are dedicating themselves to helping each other and the animals during this very difficult time of war. Our hearts are with them all,” the sanctuary said on its website.

Reuters also reported that a black leopard cub was also relocated from Ukraine to Poland. It’s expected to go to a sanctuary somewhere in Europe.

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