Karmactive Staff
Yorkshire Wildlife Park is launching a rescue mission to save three young lions from war-torn Ukraine while also celebrating the birth of their first Titi monkey in the Amazonas walkthrough reserve.
The wildlife park is seeking public donations to help transport three young lions – Oleg, Rafael, and Shanti, approximately nine months of age – from a rehabilitation facility in Kyiv to their home in Doncaster. The lengthy journey spans about 2,000 miles and requires substantial funding, which the park’s charity, The WildLife Foundation, is actively collecting.
Siblings Rafael and Shanti were discovered in Ukraine’s Kharkiv area beside their malnourished mother who was dying after being deserted at a private animal collection. Meanwhile, Oleg was saved as a young cub when his private owners escaped from the Sumy Oblast region during the conflict. Since he was hand-raised by people, he now urgently requires socialization with his own species.
“We are delighted to be able to support another lion rescue and save these beautiful lions who have not had the best start in life,” said Charlotte MacDonald, Director of Animals at Yorkshire Wildlife Park.
“Oleg and Rafael and Shanti will meet for the first time to live in a proper pride-like setting. Oleg currently lives alone and so we are looking forward to introducing him to the others,” she added.
This marks the park’s third lion rescue operation. Their initial rescue effort in 2010 successfully brought 13 lions from Romania to Britain with public backing. Recently, the final two surviving lions from that original group, Carla and Crystal, have died. During 2024, the wildlife park saved Aysa and her young ones from a Polish facility after they were discovered abandoned in Ukraine’s Donetsk territory following Russia’s military action.
John Minion, CEO of Yorkshire Wildlife Park, expressed pride in continuing their rescue work: “We are looking forward to welcoming the new lions to the park and proud to rescuing lions for the third time.”
Meanwhile, the park is also celebrating the birth of a Titi monkey to first-time parents Jessie and Javari, who arrived at the park in November 2024. This baby represents the inaugural primate birth within the park’s Amazonas walkthrough area.
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“We are very excited by the arrival of the new Titi monkey,” said Greg Clifton, Section Manager of Primates. “The baby is in excellent health and Jessie is proving to be a very loving mother.”
Red Titi monkeys are known for their strong family bonds and shared parenting duties. Visitors can see the baby clinging to both parents as they take turns caring for their offspring.
“This is a really special milestone for the park as it is the first time we have had a primate birth in the Amazonas reserve,” Clifton added.
While not endangered, Titi monkeys face challenges in the wild including habitat loss and human activity. They play an important role in their ecosystems by dispersing seeds and contributing to the health of their tropical homes.
The Amazonas habitat also houses other South American species including critically endangered Golden Lion Tamarins and Silvery Marmosets, as well as mara (Patagonian Hares), agoutis, and capybaras.
Yorkshire Wildlife Park continues to put conservation at the heart of its activities, offering visitors close encounters with some of the world’s most beautiful and at-risk species, including Polar Bears, Black Rhinos, Giraffes, and African Painted Dogs.
Those wishing to support the lion rescue can donate to The WildLife Foundation through their website.
