00:00Well, Cam, it's been quite an interesting first year with the Ukrainian Lions at the sanctuary.
00:06How's it all been?
00:08It's been incredible, just watching their transformation, all of them,
00:13from where they came from to where they are now.
00:16It's beautiful to see, and we're just happy that they're living a much safer
00:20and carefree life here in Kent.
00:24Because can you remind us of the stories of these Lions?
00:28Because they've been through so much, everything you can imagine a lion going through.
00:32Can you break down why it's so important that you rescued them?
00:36Yeah, so sadly, the five Lions were living in the war in Ukraine.
00:40They were all through the illegal pet trade, so none of them came through zoos.
00:45The illegal wildlife trade is the fourth biggest in the world,
00:48and people were having them and keeping them in their back gardens or houses,
00:52and even Vanda being found in someone's flat.
00:55Vanda, for example, she was on a third floor of fat when the war broke out,
01:00and she was discovered she was riddled with parasites.
01:03She'd never been outside before.
01:05She was severely malnourished and underdeveloped.
01:08Yuna couldn't stand.
01:09She was show-shocked and concussed, and she was left.
01:13The owners fled, and she was going to be euthanized.
01:17But we worked with some incredible partners and managed to get all five Lions out
01:22and build them the forever home, the Lion Rescue Centre.
01:26We raised half a million pounds towards it.
01:29It became a global story, and the support we received from everyone was special.
01:35Not just people in Kent as well.
01:37Literally, we've just had our open days, or it's the only time of year where we open up our site to everyone.
01:43And we had people from Australia, North America, Singapore, and Asia come and just see these Lions that we rescued.
01:51So it was incredible.
01:53Because I've seen these enclosures, and they are really, really incredible,
01:57and catered to these Lions' very specialist needs.
02:00I mean, some of these Lions hadn't even seen grass, to my understanding,
02:03before they arrived at the sanctuary.
02:05And how have they changed since arriving here in Kent?
02:08Have they developed their personalities?
02:10Are they feeling more comfortable here?
02:11Are they feeling more comfortable here?
02:13Yes.
02:13So Yuna's a perfect example.
02:16Yuna's, you know, the special one for me.
02:18She's what started it all.
02:20When we first saw that video on Instagram that was shared by I4 and Wild Animal Rescue
02:25of her struggling through shell shock and concussion from the bombings,
02:30and watching her development from day one of taking her first steps on grass here in Kent at our sanctuary.
02:37You know, she had a lot of coordination problems.
02:40She was wobbly.
02:41She does have neurological issues.
02:43However, and she didn't trust people as well.
02:46But in time over this last year, and we're celebrating her one-year anniversary today,
02:51she's just a different Lioness.
02:53And you've got to see it to believe it.
02:55But her walking has improved tenfold.
02:59She trusts people entirely.
03:03And she's got a blossoming relationship now with Rory, who's her next-door neighbour.
03:07He's the male who was also rescued from Ukraine.
03:10But she's constantly flirting and being submissive with him.
03:14She's a happy Lioness.
03:15And that's what it's all about.
03:17That's why we do what we do.
03:18They are such majestic creatures.
03:21And what do you hope to see in the coming years?
03:23In regards to the rescued lions, is there any hope to rescue any other animals in the coming years?
03:30Yeah, with the lions, so with this new habitat that we've built for them,
03:33the Lion Rescue Centre, the state-of-the-art facility for them.
03:36So hopefully, in time, we might be able to integrate one or two together,
03:41or three or four, who knows, and maybe build a little mini pride with the Ukrainian rescued lions.
03:47And yes, I can guarantee there will be more rescued cats coming to the sanctuary.
03:54And maybe not at the sanctuary.
03:55Maybe we'll just be supporting rescues, and not just here in the UK, but globally.
04:00So that's our role, and that's what we're here for, to give these cats a second chance.
04:07And we've already seen it already this year.
04:09We've provided four cats that we rescued.
04:13Bob, Blob, who is a bobcat.
04:15He was going to be euthanized.
04:17The same with Frank, who's the only UK's Asian golden cat.
04:21Bosun, a fishing cat, and Risa, Eurasian lynx.
04:24So there are four new rescues that we've already welcomed this year.
04:27And there will be more to come.
04:31Cam, thanks so much for joining us on the programme.
04:33It's been great speaking to you.
04:35Thanks.
04:35Have a lovely day, all right?
04:36Have a lovely day.
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