TWO lionesses rescued from conflict zones in Ukraine are to find a new home in a Scottish zoo.
Five Sisters Zoo near Polbeth, West Lothian, is preparing to welcome Luna and Plusza, who were evacuated from an area affected by heavy shelling in eastern Ukraine in 2022.
The were initially sheltered in Kyiv and were moved to Poland, then later to the Natuurhulpcentrum animal shelter in Oudsbergen, Belgium.
Lion Rescue Take Two! 🦁🇺🇦
— Five Sisters Zoo (@fivesisterszoo) October 21, 2024
We are excited to share that Luna and Plusza, two four-year-old lionesses rescued from Ukraine, will soon be arriving at Five Sisters Zoo!#FiveSistersZoo #FSZ #LionRescueTakeTwo pic.twitter.com/gwLeVJxq5m
They will now find a permanent home at Five Sisters Zoo which has a history of helping animals which have experienced hardship.
In 2015, the zoo welcomed four lions – Boss, Skinny, Twin 1 and Twin 2 – from Belgium, where they had been rescued from a travelling circus.
READ MORE: Scottish zoo welcomes arrival of endangered zebra
Gary Curran, head of carnivores at Five Sisters Zoo, said: “The arrival of Luna and Plusza is a continuation of our long-standing commitment to giving lions a second chance at life.
“Our team is prepared to provide these lionesses with the best care possible, ensuring that they are able to live out their lives in peace, just as we did for Boss, Skinny, and the others.”
Only Skinny remains of the original pride rescued from Belgium as Boss, and the brothers Twin 1 and Twin 2, have since died.
The lionesses’ new home at Five Sisters Zoo will feature a specially designed habitat, which the zoo said will provide them with ample space and comfort.
The date when the lionesses will arrive at the zoo has yet to be confirmed.
Why are you making commenting on The National only available to subscribers?
We know there are thousands of National readers who want to debate, argue and go back and forth in the comments section of our stories. We’ve got the most informed readers in Scotland, asking each other the big questions about the future of our country.
Unfortunately, though, these important debates are being spoiled by a vocal minority of trolls who aren’t really interested in the issues, try to derail the conversations, register under fake names, and post vile abuse.
So that’s why we’ve decided to make the ability to comment only available to our paying subscribers. That way, all the trolls who post abuse on our website will have to pay if they want to join the debate – and risk a permanent ban from the account that they subscribe with.
The conversation will go back to what it should be about – people who care passionately about the issues, but disagree constructively on what we should do about them. Let’s get that debate started!
Callum Baird, Editor of The National
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel