Two African lions rescued from war zones in Iraq and Syria are heading to a permanent home in South Africa, after resting in Jordan where they recuperated from physical and psychological trauma.
The lions were coaxed with mouthfuls of meat into metal crates today before being loaded into a cargo truck to take them to Jordan’s international airport.
The animal rights group Four Paws International rescued Saeed and Simba in daring warzone operations in 2017 from Magic World outside in Syria’s Aleppo, and the Mosul zoo in Iraq.
Saeed the lion was saved from a zoo outside Aleppo, Syria, where many of the other animals had died
Simba, who was rescued from Iraq by the animal rights group Four Paws, is joining Saeed to go to their permanent home in South Africa
‘He’s a happy-go-lucky kind of guy, he loves the interaction,’ said Diana Bernas, head animal keeper at al-Ma’wa, about Saeed (pictured: Saeed)
Most animals in those zoos had died during the ongoing conflicts in Syria and Iraq.
The two lions arrived emaciated, dehydrated and psychologically scarred at the Al-Ma’wa Animal Sanctuary in Jordan last year.
They received medical care including vasectomies and dental work. They gained weight on a steady diet – with lamb meat saved for special treats.
Two-year-old Saeed now approaches people for head scratches and plays with his lead trainer Saif Rwashdeh
Trainer Rwashdeh is traveling with the lions to Johannesburg, South Africa via Doha, Qatar, to help them settle in
The animals are heading to the South African sanctuary of Lions Rock, home to wild game and over 90 big cats
Two-year-old Saeed, who was rescued from Syria, now approaches people for head scratches and plays with his lead trainer Saif Rwashdeh.
‘He’ll run up into the crate even if there’s no meat, then run out, then run back,’ he said.
Rwashdeh is traveling with the lions to Johannesburg, South Africa via Doha, Qatar. He’ll be staying with them for two weeks to help the pair adjust to the South African sanctuary of Lions Rock, home to wild game and over 90 big cats.
‘It is bittersweet but we knew he was only going to be here temporarily’: Head animal keeper Diana Bernas talking about Saeed
The lions rested in Jordan where they recuperated from physical and psychological trauma
The animal rights group Four Paws International rescued Saeed and Simba in daring warzone operations in 2017
The lions were coaxed with mouthfuls of meat into metal crates today before being loaded into a cargo truck taking them to Jordan’s international airport
‘He’s a happy-go-lucky kind of guy, he loves the interaction,’ said Diana Bernas, head animal keeper at al-Ma’wa, as she scratched Saeed, his eyes closed and smug, leaned into her fingers. ‘He’s a perfect lion.’
The young lions are at the perfect age for socialization and need interaction with larger groups of lions, Bernas said.
‘It is bittersweet but we knew he was only going to be here temporarily so we are happy he’s going to the African sun.’