Update: Lion Cubs Rescued From Ukraine Urgently Need Sanctuary

A message from Dr. Andrew Kushnir, Veterinarian and IFAW responder

Born into captivity in Ukraine, they were destined for the exotic pet trade. But not anymore. We’ve rescued them out of Ukraine, and with your help today, we hope to move them to live their lives in a spacious new habitat at a big cat sanctuary.

These three lion cubs were born into a warzone and destined for the exotic pet trade. And that wasn’t even the worst part. No, the worst part came when the bombs started exploding around them. You see, these cubs have had a harrowing first few months of life surviving during the Ukraine war—and we need your help to ensure they are able to live out the rest of their days in comfort and peace at a sanctuary for big cats.

I’ve been working with IFAW to help animals affected by the war in Ukraine, and so far we have helped more than 79,200 animals in Ukraine this year—and we weren’t about to let these lion cubs suffer. So, we immediately planned an extraordinary rescue to get them away from danger.

I traveled with them from South Ukraine, up to Kyiv, and finally into Poland. Now we are on the final part of their journey. We hope to have permits issued to move them to the safety of a sanctuary for big cats.

Your gift today could help complete their long and dangerous journey, keep them healthy along the way, and you’ll even help other animals that need you.

I wish these little lions could be released back to the wild somewhere, but there’s just no way they would survive. They’re totally reliant on humans and don’t have a wild mom to guide them. So, the next best thing for this little pride is a spacious, accredited sanctuary. And that’s exactly where—with your help—we hope to send them.

For the past few weeks, I’ve been living with these cubs 24/7. I’ve bottle-fed them nutritious milk formula around the clock and provided enrichment. And I’ve moved with them from place to place to keep them safe.

Honestly, it’s been exhausting and rewarding at the same time. But the ultimate reward will be the day I see them released into a beautiful sanctuary habitat. I wonder how they’ll react to walking again on soft, grassy ground instead of on hard floors. And they’ll stay together and grow up in a spacious and natural setting. They deserve this better life, don’t you think?

Will you give today to make it happen? I’ll be sure to return your kindness with a video showing their release and their new habitat just as soon as they reach it.