PREVIEW

Luna and Plusza, two four-year-old lionesses rescued from war-torn Ukraine, have arrived safely at their new home at Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian.

Their journey—from an area devastated by heavy shelling in Eastern Ukraine through Kyiv, Poland, and Belgium—has finally brought them to a safe and peaceful sanctuary in Scotland.

This marks another chapter in Five Sisters Zoo’s proud legacy of rescuing lions, continuing a tradition that began in 2015 with their first rescue pride. Now, the lionesses will settle into a custom-built habitat designed to ensure their comfort and well-being after such a traumatic experience.


Gary Curran, Head of Carnivores at Five Sisters Zoo, commented: "The safe arrival of Luna and Plusza underscores our commitment to giving lions a second chance at life. Our team is ready to provide the care and support they need to live out their lives in peace, just as we have done for others before them."


Five Sisters Zoo began life as a garden centre run by landscape gardener Brian Curran and his wife Shirley. Both passionate animal lovers, they gradually found themselves agreeing to re-home a variety of unwanted pets which became a small menagerie and an attraction for visitors.

The zoo was officially established in 2005 with a modest selection of rabbits, guinea pigs, goats and pigs. Since then it has become home to an amazing collection of more than 180 different species of mammals, birds and reptiles from all over the world. They include bears and lions rescued and re-homed after performing in travelling circuses.

The Zoo previously hit the headlines with another rescue from Ukraine, Yampil the bear. Sadly Yampil passed away after struggling with several complex health conditions.