PREVIEW

Yuna, a three-year-old lioness who endured the terrors of war and shell shock in Ukraine, has arrived at her blissful new home at The Big Cat Sanctuary near Smarden in Kent. Yuna has sadly spent her early years confined to a cold concrete floor in a warzone, after Russia’s full scale invasion of Ukraine.

Before the invasion of Ukraine, Yuna had been living in a 3x4 metre enclosure in a private home, with only concrete beneath her paws. The explosions of nearby missiles caused her to suffer shell shock, concussion, and a loss of coordination. Her rescue journey began at the Wild Animal Rescue Centre in Kyiv, Ukraine, with support from the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW).

On 16 August, The Big Cat Sanctuary—a renowned, family-run wildlife charity— evacuated Yuna and a male lion, Rori, from the rescue centre in Kyiv. During their journey, Rori was taken to a temporary facility, Natuurhulpcentrum in Belgium, as he awaits the completion of his permanent home at The Big Cat Sanctuary. Since her arrival in Kent, Yuna has spent a week acclimatising to her new surroundings in a private den, where the sanctuary’s dedicated team has been focused on building her trust and confidence.

The team ensured Yuna’s transition was smooth and free from stress. They sat near her daily, speaking softly and gradually allowing her to adjust to their presence. As the days passed, Yuna’s initial wariness began to diminish, and she started approaching her caretakers willingly. This progress marks a significant breakthrough in Yuna’s emotional recovery.