The Big Cat Sanctuary of female lion Yuna, who is in a temporary home in Belgium, before being taken to the Big Cat Sanctuary in SmardenThe Big Cat Sanctuary/PA Wire
Daniel Sexton
BBC News, South East
@DanSextonBBC
A wild cat sanctuary rescuing lions from war-torn Ukraine has met its fundraising target to help provide "forever homes" for the animals.
The Big Cat Sanctuary, based in Smarden, near Ashford in Kent, said it had raised £500,000 to help rescue five lions and take them to its lion rescue centre.
The money will help transportation costs, veterinary treatment and a new habitat for the lions, which the sanctuary started creating in July.
African lioness Yuna was taken to its lion rescue centre in August, while the four others - Rori, Vanda, Amani and Lira - will join her in early 2025.
Rori, an African lion, who has been rescued from the Russian-Ukrainian war.The Big Cat Sanctuary
They are currently being kept in facilities across Belgium, including Pairi Daiza, Planckendael Zoo and Natuur Hulp Centrum.
Yuna's journey spanned six countries and lasted more than four days.
The sanctuary said she had suffered shell shock and psychological issues from heavy bombing in Ukraine.
She was found cramped in a concrete enclosure with an aggressive male, and the continued shelling left her unable to stand or walk, it added.
The Big Cat Sanctuary of male lion Rori, who is in a temporary home in Belgium, before being taken to the Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden.The Big Cat Sanctuary/PA Wire
Cam Whitnall, project lead at the Big Cat Sanctuary, said: "This achievement is truly special, and we can't thank everyone enough.
"Yuna, Rori, Vanda, Amani, and Lira will now have the forever home they deserve."
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Lions
Smarden
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