Moving one lion is no small task. Moving an entire pride of 11 rescued lions without using a single tranquiliser dart is something few wildlife sanctuaries have ever attempted.
That’s exactly what the team at FOUR PAWS LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem, Free State, has achieved, successfully relocating 11 lions rescued from war-torn Sudan into their spacious permanent enclosure after two years of rehabilitation.
The carefully planned move marks another major milestone in the lions’ remarkable recovery.
From a war zone to safety in South Africa
The story began in 2023 when conflict broke out in Sudan’s capital, Khartoum.
Eleven lions were left trapped as fighting intensified, growing weaker each day. FOUR PAWS’ Rescue and Response team launched a complex rescue mission to safely evacuate the animals and transport them to South Africa.
After arriving at LIONSROCK, the lions were housed in the sanctuary’s Special Care Unit, which consists of four interconnected enclosures designed for intensive veterinary care and close monitoring.
The rescued pride includes three males, Leo, Sam and Moody, and eight lionesses, Leonie, Carolyn, Sheeba, Izzy, Merghani, Mina, Kandaka and Kassala.
For the past two years, the focus has been on rehabilitation through proper nutrition, veterinary treatment and rebuilding trust.
As the lions regained their strength and confidence, they began displaying natural behaviours once again, eventually outgrowing their temporary home.
Six weeks of training made the move possible
Rather than relying on sedation, which carries significant risks for large cats, the LIONSROCK team spent six weeks preparing the pride through patient crate training.
Using positive reinforcement, each lion was gradually encouraged to voluntarily enter a transport crate, reducing stress and eliminating the need for tranquiliser darts.
A carefully choreographed relocation
On moving day, transport crates were positioned at the enclosure gates following extensive planning and safety checks.
The first lion calmly stepped into its new surroundings, setting the tone for the rest of the relocation.
Over the next few hours, transport vehicles moved back and forth until every lion had safely arrived at its spacious new home.
“This was all about preparation and trust. Being able to move the lions without sedation shows how far they’ve come and the close relationship our team has built with each of them individually, which is paramount to reducing stress at every stage,” says Hildegard Pirker, Sanctuary Manager at LIONSROCK.
A new chapter for the rescued pride
Today, the pride has settled into two compatible social groups.
The seven younger lions now occupy one section of the enclosure, while the older lions enjoy a quieter area designed to suit their needs.
Their new environment provides plenty of room to roam, natural climbing features and long grass where they can explore and express natural behaviours.
“These lions came from unimaginable circumstances, and every step since then has been about giving them their lives back,” says Pirker. “Seeing them walk into this new space with confidence is a moment we’ll never forget.”
A video released by FOUR PAWS captures the extraordinary relocation, offering a behind-the-scenes look at one of the sanctuary’s most ambitious animal welfare operations.
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