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—collaborated with Cross Border Animal Services (CBAS) to evacuate 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 Lion Rescue Centre being constructed at The Big Cat Sanctuary.
Luna’s five-day journey to the UK involved over 30 hours of driving through six countries: Ukraine, Poland, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, and France.

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.

"All the hard work has paid off for this very moment. Rescuing Yuna from the war in Ukraine, giving her a second chance at life, and now seeing her feel fresh air and grass for the first time—it’s incredibly special and beautiful," said Cam Whitnall, Project Lead at The Big Cat Sanctuary. "It’s been an incredible team effort from everyone involved, and we’re so pleased that she’s settled in so well here at The Big Cat Sanctuary."

As Yuna becomes more accustomed to her new environment, her playful and curious nature is emerging. She has been seen exploring her surroundings and engaging in natural behaviours such as scratching trees and logs—activities that were impossible in her previous confined space. These playful behaviours are crucial for rebuilding the muscle strength and mobility she lost during her time in captivity.

"The speed at which Yuna has started to settle into life at the Sanctuary has taken us all by surprise," said Briony Smith, Curator at The Big Cat Sanctuary. "We know we still have a long road ahead, but she is showing an amazing amount of courage and even a bit of cheekiness already, and we couldn’t be happier."

The work of The Big Cat Sanctuary is far from over. Plans are already underway to rescue the remaining three lionesses—Amani, Lira, and Vanda—from the Wild Animal Rescue in Kyiv. These lionesses will be temporarily housed in Belgium while construction continues on the Lion Rescue Centre at the Sanctuary.

The generous support of the public has made this rescue mission and the construction of the Lion Rescue Centre possible. The Big Cat Sanctuary charity has raised £350,000 of its £500,000 target. Each donation brings them closer to providing Yuna, Rori, and the other lionesses with the safe and enriching lives they deserve.