Smarden: Rescued Ukrainian lion arrives at Kent sanctuary (original) (raw)

The first of two lions rescued from Ukraine has successfully arrived in Kent after leaving war-torn Kyiv.

Yuna, a three-year-old lioness, has shell shock but it is hoped she can now heal at her new home at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden.

Rori, a male lion, is currently in Belgium and will join the sanctuary when a specially built enclosure is completed in November.

Briony Smith, a keeper at The Big Cat Sanctuary, said Yuna was "so brave" and "had been through so much".

The big cat completed her 1,400-mile (2,253km) journey at 01:00 BST on Saturday.

Cam Whitnall, from The Big Cat Sanctuary, witnessed the effects of war on Yuna.

He said: “When the bombs hit last year she suffered from shell shock and concussion and she wouldn’t stand for a very long time.

"You could see from her body movement that she was suffering and she wouldn’t eat.

“For the last three months she has got a loss of co-ordination when she walks."