Two years after being rescued from the conflict in Sudan, 11 lions have reached an incredible milestone!
Bethlehem, Free State (30 July 2026) – This week, they left the special care area at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary and stepped into a spacious new enclosure they’ll now call home.
The lions’ story began in 2023, when war broke out in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum. As fighting intensified, the animals were left trapped with little food or care, growing weaker as conditions around them deteriorated.
Animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS stepped in and carried out a complex rescue mission to safely bring all 11 lions to South Africa, where they arrived at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in the Free State.
For the past two years, the pride has been recovering in the sanctuary’s Special Care Unit, where dedicated carers could closely monitor their health and help them regain their strength.
Now healthy enough to move on, the lions have officially graduated to a much larger, permanent enclosure nearby, designed to give them the space and enrichment they need to be lions again.
Relocating them was quite the task! Rather than relying on sedation, the team spent six weeks crate training each lion, patiently encouraging them to walk into transport crates on their own. It meant the move could happen with far less stress and without the added risks that come with anaesthesia.
On moving day, the operation unfolded exactly as planned. One by one, the lions were carefully transported across the sanctuary before being released into their new home, where they were reunited with the rest of the pride.
The lions have now settled into two compatible social groups. Seven of the younger lions are exploring one section of the enclosure, while the older lions have their own area suited to their needs. Together, they now have room to roam, explore and enjoy a life that’s a world away from where their journey began.
“These lions came from unimaginable circumstances, and every step since then has been about giving them their lives back,” said Hildegard Pirker, Sanctuary Manager at LIONSROCK. “Seeing them walk into this new space with confidence is a moment we’ll never forget.”
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Celebrating Barbara’s 18 Years of Service, Leadership and a Lot of Happy Tails!Being able to move every lion without sedation is a remarkable achievement. It is heartwarming to see just how far these animals have come since arriving in South Africa. Watch the video of their relocation below!
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