Two lionesses given new home at Five Sisters Zoo after rescue from conflict in Ukraine

Two lionesses have been given new home in Scotland after being rescued from Ukraine amid the ongoing conflict.

Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian announced the upcoming arrival of the two four-year-old lionesses named Luna and Plusza on Monday.

Luna and Plusza were initially evacuated from an area affected by heavy shelling in eastern Ukraine in 2022.

The pair were first sheltered in Kyiv then moved to Poland and later to Natuurhulpcentrum in Belgium before Five Sisters Zoo offered a permanent sanctuary in Scotland.

“The arrival of Luna and Plusza is a continuation of our long-standing commitment to giving lions a second chance at life,” said Gary Curran, head of carnivores at the zoo.

“Our team is prepared to provide these lionesses with the best care possible, ensuring that they are able to live out their lives in peace, just as we did for Boss, Skinny, and the others.”

The lionesses’ new home at Five Sisters Zoo will feature a specially designed habitat that will “provide ample space and comfort after their challenging journey across multiple countries”.

The zoo added that Luna and Plusza’s arrival continues a “proud tradition” of collaborating with international rescue organisations to ensure animals in need are given a safe home.

The new additions come as the zoo celebrates nine years since rescuing its first pride of lions in 2015.

Five Sisters Zoo previously welcomed four lions, Boss, Skinny, Twin 1, and Twin 2, from Belgium, where they had been rescued “from a life of suffering” in a travelling circus.