The final leg of the Ubuntu Wildlife Sanctuary’s relocation has been completed, and the 5 lion cubs from Ukraine got to explore their new enclosure together.
Oudtshoorn, South Africa (26 May 2021) – An appeal for help with 5 neglected lion cubs in Ukraine was answered by the Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels back in 2019. Now they are settling into their forever home in the Western Cape.
In November 2019, Jacaranda FM’s Good Morning Angels helped to relocate five lion cubs, rescued from captivity in appalling conditions in Ukraine, to the Ubuntu Wildlife Sanctuary in the North West. Founder Jurg Olsen has been taking in captive wildlife for some time, and the sanctuary was home to seven lions and two tigers.
Sadly that home couldn’t be the forever home of the cubs. Earlier this month, we shared the exciting news that the Good Morning Angels had donated the funds needed to relocate the 5 cubs and their other sanctuary mates to a new location in the Western Cape. We are happy to share now that all has gone well and the animals are settling in well.
It was Ubuntu in action this past weekend to move the 12 lions and two tigers of the Ubuntu Wildlife Sanctuary from Groot Marico in the North West province to their new sanctuary premises on the border of Oudtshoorn and Mossel Bay in the Western Cape. The prepping of camps and planning for this epic move started months ago when the Ubuntu team got word that the landowners they had leased in Groot Marico intended to resume their hunting business.
A wildlife and Ubuntu-supporter, André De Goede, heard of this and acquired the 1650 hectares of land, bordering two nature reserves – to provide a permanent, safe home for the big cats, all saved from captivity all over the world.
Ubuntu founder Jurg Olsen explained on Good Morning Angels two weeks ago the extent of the logistics and safety measures needed to ensure the Big Cat’s safe transport on their epic 1500 kilometre journey by road. With the help of many Angels who came forward, including De Goede Finance Universe, Uniwisp Fibre, the Lions Foundation, Forum Sekuriteit, Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic, MVW and Vet Script, the costly relocation was finally a reality.
At 8 am on Saturday morning (23 May), wildlife veterinary expert Dr Peter Caldwell, the Ubuntu team and volunteers started with the pain-staking process of preparing the cats for their Big Trek. One by one, the 12 lions and two tigers were darted, injected with a multitude of vital meds, inspected, then loaded in their crates, loaded on vehicles and trailers and woken up. This took eight hours. Finally, at 4 pm, the convoy of 16 vehicles started the 20 hours non-stop journey to Oudtshoorn with their precious cargo. Unfortunately, two of the lions, Zuka and Malena, needed further medical attention for pre-existing conditions and were taken to Dr Caldwell’s Old Chapel Veterinary Clinic for further treatment.
At 12 pm on Sunday (24 May), the convoy safely reached the new Ubuntu gate – too excited to be exhausted as the final task of off-loading the Cats started. One by one, the crates were lifted off their vehicles by eight men, carried to their camps before each lion was released into their new pristine environment. By this time, the group of volunteers knew each lion and tiger by name, experienced their unique personalities and respected their right to be free and wild in nature.
Last to be released were the Ukraine 5: Sahara, Maya, Mia, Macy and Mufasa – who have become a close-knit family of four sisters and a brother. Sahara is the matriarch and was the first to venture into her new environment bravely. She assisted and encouraged each of her sisters to do the same: calling out softly to them. As each female took her first steps into the camp, the others would greet her with face rubs and kisses. Finally, the four lionesses stood next to one another, facing their brother’s crate – calling for him. But, instead, he darted out, excited to be reunited with his sisters after their journey. Together, the Ukraine 5 explored their new environment: a family, together in their new home.
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Take a look at their journey below, from Ukraine to Western Cape in just over two years!
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