Thirty lions and tigers formerly housed at the defunct Luján Zoo have begun new lives in two wildlife sanctuaries located in South Africa and the United States. The international operation, coordinated by the organization Four Paws International, marked the culmination of months of preparation aimed at relocating the big cats from the closed zoo in Buenos Aires province. The animals arrived safely at their destinations after being transported by air and land, with each group receiving specialized care during the transition. The relocation effort saw 15 of the big cats travel to the LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, while the remaining 15 were sent to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, U.S. According to Four Paws, the animals endured the flights well and arrived in good health. At LIONSROCK, six lions and nine tigers have been placed under observation as they begin to adjust to their new surroundings. Among them are lions named Bella, Brynn, Joe, Scar, Stanley, and Lionel, along with tigers Kimi, Nyra, Amora, Valentine, Meko, Benjamin, Negus, Dylan, and Keko. In Colorado, the second group consists of seven lions and eight tigers. The lions include Lucy, Kalu, Kaila, Tango, Cash, Toby, and Mordelon, while the tigers are identified as Satine, Shelby, Horus, Second, Thomas, Thomas Brother, Liam, and Patrick. These animals will receive ongoing veterinary assessments and monitoring to ensure their successful adaptation to their new environments. The journey began with the animals being transported in specially designed steel crates equipped with ventilation systems and doors. The crates bore the logo of Four Paws International, which oversees the relocation process. On the morning of the move, four trucks covered with an Argentine flag bearing the logo of logistics company SLA SRL departed from the Luján Zoo. They carried the 30 crates containing the big cats toward the Ezeiza International Airport, where the final preparations took place before departure. The first group of 15 animals was scheduled to fly from Argentina to Frankfurt, Germany, where they would make a stop before continuing to Johannesburg, South Africa. From there, they traveled by road to the LIONSROCK sanctuary, located near Bethlehem in central South Africa. This facility spans 1,250 hectares and has been managed by Four Paws since 2006. Meanwhile, another group of 15 animals left earlier in the day, heading directly to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Denver, Colorado. This sanctuary provides large enclosures where the animals can live in controlled freedom, with some having access to up to three hectares of space. Unlike traditional zoos, these sanctuaries emphasize the welfare of the animals, ensuring they are sterilized before arrival and allowing them to avoid public view if desired. The relocation represents a significant shift in how rescued animals are cared for, moving away from traditional zoo settings to more humane alternatives. The animals, many of whom had spent years in captivity, are now entering a phase of adjustment, with caretakers accompanying them through initial stages of adaptation. Veterinary check-ups and behavioral evaluations are part of this process, helping determine when the animals can move into larger enclosures. At both sanctuaries, the focus is on providing the animals with adequate living conditions, including proper nutrition, climate, and social interaction. While some sanctuaries allow visitors, the animals retain the right to remain hidden if they choose. The goal is to provide a life free from suffering, offering a refuge for animals that can no longer return to their natural habitats. The relocation of these 30 big cats marks a milestone in animal rescue efforts, highlighting the growing recognition of animals as sentient beings deserving of compassionate treatment. With the former Luján Zoo closed since September 2020 due to regulatory issues, this initiative ensures that the animals previously held there receive long-term care in appropriate facilities.
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