Lioness with shellshock rescued from Ukraine by British animal sanctuary

Yuna has suffered from ‘psychological issues’ and a loss of balance following an explosion near her enclosure

A lioness with shellshock is travelling 1,400 miles from Ukraine to an animal sanctuary in the United Kingdom.
African lioness Yuna suffered “psychological issues” and lost her sense of coordination, according to the Big Cat Sanctuary, a Kent-based charity behind the Big Cats in Crisis campaign, which raises funds to rescue lions from Ukraine.
Yuna and a male lion called Rori are the first two of five lions that will be rescued out of Ukraine after debris was blasted near their enclosure in January as a result of Russia’s invasion of the country.
The lioness was found abandoned in a private home in an unsuitably small cage alongside a male lion. It is thought Yuna may have been used for breeding.
Yuna was taken to the Wild Animal Rescue in Kyiv, which is supported by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), on Wednesday, before she makes a journey over four days and across six countries to receive treatment at The Big Cat Sanctuary.
Yuna will arrive before Rori. She will be driven for 25 hours by car from Ukraine through Poland, the Netherlands, Belgium and France, before boarding a ferry to Dover. She will then be driven to The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden, Kent.
Natalia Gozak, who helped with the lions’ rescue on behalf of IFAW and Wild Animal Rescue, said: “Ukraine is now no stranger to tragedy, and the stories of these big cats are no different. I am happy that, at least for them, they are heading to a safer place.
“The Big Cat Sanctuary has offered permanent homes to the remaining lions, including Yuna, who we feared might not be homed due to her psychological issues.”
Rori will be taken to a temporary home in Natuurhulpcentrum, Belgium, where he will be joined by three more lions named Vanda, Amani and Lira, before making the same journey as Yuna to The Big Cat Sanctuary, which currently only has capacity for one lion.
Sam Whitnall, project lead at The Big Cat Sanctuary and presenter of CBBC’s One Zoo Three, said: “It’s been a huge effort from everyone involved. We have worked night and day for many months for this very moment and we can’t wait to get them to their forever home now here at the sanctuary.”
The sanctuary has raised more than £300,000 of its £500,000 target which will go towards transportation costs, veterinary treatment and help fund the construction of the Lion Rescue Centre.