The story of Nathan & the 3 lionesses, Luca, Charlie & Kai from Ukraine.

Mission Accomplished… Lion Rescue #1

NATHAN was rescued from an ex-animal circus trainer and breeder/trader in Ukraine. Nathan and his sister were taken from their parents at just weeks old and were to be sold to a circus, private zoo or as pets. Fortunately, we were able to get Nathan out but before that his sister mysteriously disappeared, probably sold to one of the aforementioned places and Nathan was then dumped in a concrete and steel cage of +/-15m². He was never able to explore, pay outdoors or even just enjoy the simple pleasure of lazing in the sun. We then built a temporary enclosure for him to enjoy until we started the process to get the relocation to South Africa completed.  
LUCA, CHARLIE & KAI – We found these 3 when we were doing a rescue/relocation of 3 Brown Bears from a privately-owned zoo (if you can even call it that) in Sambir, Ukraine. The bears were relocated to a bear sanctuary in Synevir in the Carpathian Mountains. However, we could not leave the 3 lionesses to live in the squalid conditions they were in. Their cage was only 35m² of concrete and steel without direct sunlight, no enrichment, just filth. We managed to negotiate and secure their release into our care and built them a temporary enclosure while beginning the relocation process for their trip to their forever home in South Africa. They loved their temporary enclosure and spent lots of time playing with the enrichment, stalking each other and lazing in the sun which they had never been able to do. It was their first chance at life to be lions and it was amazing to see the change in them from being caged to having the run of a 280m² temporary enclosure. All the lions were vaccinated, chipped and documented in accordance with CITES and both Export and Import permits were applied for and they flew HOME to a game park in South Africa in November 2018.    
       THE TRIP – 76 Hours. 13 hours by road from Sambir to Kyiv Borispol airport in Ukraine, 3 flights, 2 of which were with Turkish Cargo from Kiev to OR Tambo in Johannesburg and then 2 private aircraft from Rand Airport to a private grass airstrip in Seaview, PE very close to their new home. Total travel time for the lions from the time we crated them until we lay them down in their night shelters at the Game Park was 76 hours. Nathan traveled well but we had some serious problems with Charlie which entailed a bit of roadside surgery and care but we got them through vet health inspection and customs in Kyiv. It was very stressful for the lions but also for myself, Anya and our vet Misha because we had no idea as to how they would travel after the road trip which was extremely difficult and cold at -7C. Now Charlie, Luca and Kai are doing very well and enjoying their new forever home. The lions are loving the open space, grass, trees, sun and even the inquisitive giraffe and zebra that paid them a visit on their first morning. None of this could have been accomplished without the support and trust of our donors and we Thank you for this. I would like to THANK all of you personally for your support and donations but it would be difficult to name everyone. We miss Charlie, Kai and Luca very much but mostly Nathan with whom many of us had formed a special bond. He was torn away from his mother at only a few days old and has relied on us to care for him and make sure he is and stays safe and healthy. It was a difficult year caring for them and getting everything in place to get them home, but WE DID IT.
We had to leave South Africa and go back to Ukraine to rescue bears and lions (6 waiting for us) feeling happy that our lions are “SAFE” in the “VERY CAPABLE” hands of the staff at Kragga Kamma Game Park.  
       UPDATE on Nathan. We are sad to inform you that Nathan was killed by the 3 lionesses when they were able to get through the dividing fence on the 14th Dec 2018 just 23 days after arriving at KKGP. It was a most unfortunate accident which was completely avoidable but KKGP refused to listen to advice by installing electrics down the boundary fence between Nathans and the lioness’s enclosure. We all observed the aggression from the lioness towards Nathan and suggestions were made to install electrics but it did not happen thus resulting in Nathans death. This is a nasty reminder that these are wild animals and will be forever unpredictable and therefore carers should always prepare for the worst.
We often think of Nathan and miss him very much and every rescue we do now, we do with him in our thoughts.

For us to continue this work we need your support.
Please share our work and if you can HELP US TO HELP THE ANIMALS please DONATE HERE at www.warriorsofwildlife.org/donations