KLM and its cargo partner Martinair Cargo, have flown two rescue lions to their new home in South Africa.
The two lions, Nikola and Vasylyna, who were brought up at the FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands will be spending the next part of their lives in their new home in Africa.
Nikola and Vasylyna were found roaming the streets after escaping private captivity. In May, they were relocated to Lions Rock Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa.
KLM RESCUE LIONS
Nikola is a two-and-a-half-year-old male lion. In June 2022 FELIDA took him in after authorities in Montenegro found a lion cub roaming the streets of Bhudva in January of that year. It took months to arrange the paperwork allowing Nikola to move to FELIDA in the Netherlands, where he was housed.
Vasylyna was found in the Kharkiv region of Ukraine, which was heavily hit during attacks in Russia’s war on Ukraine. That said, it is likely that she escaped from private keeping during an attack. Again, it took months to organise the paperwork allowing her to be moved to FELIDA in Friesland. She too arrived in June 2022.
REASON FOR KLM RESCUE LION RELOCATION
Though the two lions are fully grown, they are indeed still “teenagers” – who are healthy and well-socialised. And, the next step in their journey is a bigger home.
This in fact comes in the form of Lions Rock Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, where they have more space and a better future together.
LIONS ROCK BIG CAT SANCTUARY
Lions Rock Big Cat Sanctuary, a FOUR PAWS sanctuary, is home to around 100 big cats rescued from around the world.
Here, the lions are protected for the rest of their lives in a species-appropriate environment.
The facility is located just 18km outside Bethlehem.
A SAD FAREWELL
FELIDA Lion Careworker, Kim Schrotenboer accompanied the lions on their entire journey to Africa. While she said she was sad to see them go, she also knew it was in the lions’ best interests.
“Of course, I am going to miss them but I know that this is the right thing to do. They need to go to a bigger enclosure. So, overall, I am really excited to be there for them and to see them going to their new bigger enclosure at Lions Rock.” Schrotenboer said.
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KLM’S ANIMAL HOTEL
Firstly, the rescue lions were moved from FELIDA to KLM’s animal hotel in Amsterdam. Then they had to prepare for their flight to Africa.
KLM and its partner Martinair Cargo handle all sorts of animal relocations, ranging from horses, to dogs, cats and lions! FELIDA has in fact already sent more than 20 animals to Lions Rock in South Africa.
Furthermore, KLM’s animal hospital does a series of checks before it can carry animals on flights. Firstly, animals due to take flights must fit into the special animal crates that travel on planes. Staff at the animal hotel all have experience and training in caring for animals. Thus, each member of the team loves animals. That said, this attribute is a key requirement for the job.
SUCCESSFUL RELOCATION
“We are happy to see that Nikola and Vasylyna have arrived at their forever home at LIONSROCK after their long journey. Stepping into their enclosures, the lions wasted no time in venturing out to investigate their new surroundings. Nikola and Vasylyna have had a turbulent start in life, now they have the chance to thrive in a species-appropriate habitat that allows them to express their natural behaviours. They can enjoy their companionship under the African sun in even vaster surroundings than before.”
Patricia Tiplea, Head of Wild Animal Rescue & Advocacy at FOUR PAWS
