At the beginning of the year, the Environmental Protection Agency of Montenegro (EPA) and local NGO “Center for the Protection and Research of Birds of Montenegro” (CZIP) embarked on an emergency rescue mission to find a five-month-old lion cub. He had escaped from his illegal private captivity in Montenegro.

After a week of intensive searching, the rescue team began to lose hope that they would find him alive. With the cold winter temperatures, the lion cub’s chance for survival was slim. Nevertheless, the search for him continued and after ten days, he was finally found – not a day too late. In the cellar of an abandoned old house lay a trembling, weak and malnourished lion cub, unaware of how much luck he had just had. Not only had he escaped the illegal trade of big cats and lions, but he was also found by the right people. Hunters had almost been deployed as a desperate last attempt to find the lion cub and end the escape for good.

Luckily, he was brought to a safe place and a group of dedicated volunteers and FOUR PAWS big cats experts gave him urgently needed medical support. The poor cub was no longer helpless and nameless. One of the animal caretakers who first looked after him gave him a special name – his own name, Nikola.

Shortly after he arrived, it was clear that this could only be a temporary solution for Nikola. He desperately need of a species-appropriate long-term home after the traumatic start in life. FOUR PAWS immediately agreed to take on the little rescue lion cub and offer him the care and surroundings he deserves. At FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands, Nikola has the chance to live his life to the fullest in a species-appropriate enclosure.

It is unclear what happened to his mother, but he was probably taken from her far too young. He had to grow up all on his own. Unfortunately, Nikola is no exception and many cases exist in which lions and other big cats are offered for sale or as entertainment.

Stay tuned for more updates on Nikola and how he settles in at FELIDA.

After the emergency rescue in Montenegro in June 2022, Nikola has developed into a strong confident lion. He is very energetic and loves to play with all of his enrichment provided by the team in the Netherlands.

Nikola's vet check from last month revealed that he is very healthy and is now ready to meet Vasylyna. The young lioness was rescued from Ukraine at the beginning of June, and after settling in at FELIDA, Nikola and Vasylyna now had the chance to meet for the first time. She was moved into a larger enclosure next to the young lion. It took some time for the new neighbours to adjust, but it looks like love is in the air for the rescued lions. Stay tuned for more updates on Nikola and Vasylyna.

After being neighbour's for a few months, the team at FELIDA, with support of the colleagues from LIONSROCK, opened the gate for a future together. Nikola and Vasylyna were able to meet without a fence in between them. It took a bit of time for both of them to get used to the new situation since it was their first encounter with another lion. They are more and more warming up to each other and it looks very promising. Stay tuned!

After a successful socialisation, both lions are now ready for LIONSROCK in South Africa.

Such a long transfer is anything but a piece of cake! A team of specialists and veterinarians have been preparing the animals and logistics for months. Permits had to be acquired, the appropriate means of transport had to be arranged and in LIONSROCK all preparations had to be made for the new arrivals.

At FELIDA, our team has prepared the two young lions for the transfer in the best possible way. We did daily crate training with them. This is to familiarise the animals with the transport crates so they do not have to be put under anesthesia. The crate training went very well. Nikola needed a bit more time and guidance, but both lions successfully walked into their transport crates and arrived safely in South Africa where they can now settle into their new home and experience the African sun on their skin for the first time.