Help Us Rescue 3 Lion Cubs From War Torn Ukraine

In 2024 we successfully rescued a Lioness named Aysa and her 3 precious cubs Teddi, Emi and Santa who were abandoned in Ukraine when the war broke out. Thanks to the incredible generosity of our supporters, the WildLife Foundation made their journey to the UK possible, we used the funds raised to fund emergency transport, veterinary care and rehabilitation. The Lions are now thriving in their forever home at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Doncaster.

Now we are creating a dedicated rescue fund, designed to respond rapidly to emergencies involving animals affected by war, natural disasters, or illegal captivity.

There are 3 more Lions currently in a rescue facility in Ukraine who need desperately need our help. 

Oleg was rescued as a cub from private owners who fled the Sumy region of Ukraine during the escalation of the war. Raised by humans, Oleg is frightened of people but clearly longs for connection with other Lions. Right now, he lives alone, not by choice, but due to lack of space in the rescue facility.

Siblings Rafael and Shanti were found in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine next to their dying mother, a Lioness who had been abandoned in a private menagerie and starved. The cubs survived against all odds. Raised by their mother until her final moments, they are now inseparable, gentle, and curious around people.

With your support, these three remarkable Lions could be brought to the UK, where they’ll live safely together, perhaps for the first time in a proper pride-like setting. According to wildlife specialists on the ground, bringing Oleg together with Rafael and Shanti would be transformative for all of them.

Please consider making a donation to help us in our mission to protect these cubs from the devastating ongoing war in Ukraine and help us continue protecting animals who need our help from circumstances out of their control. 

If for any reason we are unable to rescue the Lion Cubs from Ukraine due to the escalation of the war, the funds raised will be used to continue protecting animals who need our help from circumstances out of their control, including to respond rapidly to emergencies involving animals affected by war, natural disasters, or illegal captivity.