After a 33-hour journey from Jordan, Saeed risks his first steps out of the transport crate. It almost seems as though he hesitates a moment in order to soak up the impressive expanse of the 1,250-hectare big cat sanctuary at LIONSROCK. For the first time in his life, he feels grass under his paws, while beside him his travel companion Simba listens excitedly to the roars of the other lions. He is used to other sounds in his home, Mossul, as the noise of exploding bombs in the nearby combat zones were his constant companion.       

Born in Syrian and Iraqi war zones, the two lions had a difficult start in life. Even our experienced teams of vets and animal carers were shocked by what they saw on their arrival in the zoos of Mossul and Aleppo: animals deeply marked by hunger and illness, neglected enclosures, and only very few surviving animals.

The situation in the Montazah Al-Morour Zoo in Mossul was especially dramatic: in February 2017, Simba was one of only two surviving animals. Rescue arrived for Simba at the very last moment. He was already extremely emaciated and marked by the effects of malnutrition and dehydration. Together with the second survivor, female bear Lula, he was transported to Jordan in April after weeks of negotiations in Iraq. Saeed's rescue from the zoo close to Aleppo was similarly dramatic. But after a two-week stopover in Turkey, he finally also made it to Jordan together with twelve other injured and traumatised animals. 

In Jordan's wild animal protection centre, 'Al Ma’wa for Nature and Wildlife', founded jointly by FOUR PAWS and the Princess Alia Foundation, the two young lions had time to regain their strength. Fortunately, the next few weeks proceeded so positively that Simba and Saeed could be transported further to LIONSROCK in South Africa. There, conditions are ideal for the two and, above all, they now live among 100 other rescued big cats. Young lions feel particularly at home among other members of their species. For this reason, we gave fast resocialisation top priority. 

The day comes to a close in LIONSROCK with one of the many spectacular sunsets that Simba and Saeed will be able to enjoy here at the end of their long journey. In the meantime, both have become familar with their environment and appear to feel at home. We are very optimistic about their development and excited about how they will settle down in South Africa. Although they have already honoured their name, 'war lions', in light of so many obstacles, we are happy that from now on they will be able to live a peaceful life.