2 Lions Rescued From Abandoned Zoos in Syria and Iraq Head to a Sanctuary

[Omaha Steve]

By: Alicia Graef February 28, 2018

Thanks to the heroic actions of rescuers, two lions who were abandoned to die in zoos in war torn countries are now starting new lives at a sanctuary in South Africa.

Four-year-old Simba and two-year-old Saeed have each had rough starts and have experienced the devastation of war, but their plights caught the attention of rescuers from Four Paws International who stepped in to save them.

Simba was one of only two surviving animals left at the Montazah Al-Morour zoo in Iraq, which was left in ruins as a result of armed conflict. Dozens of animals who were kept there tragically died, either as a result of bombings or being left to starve, while others escaped when their enclosures were damaged.

By the time rescuers got permission to enter the city to check on him, and Lula the bear, they were both suffering from malnutrition, and numerous other health issues stemming from neglect, while their enclosures hadn’t been cleaned for months. After repeated delays kept them from removing Simba and Lula, the two were finally flown to safety in Jordan last summer.

FULL story: https://www.care2.com/causes/2-lions-rescued-from-abandoned-zoos-in-syria-and-iraq-head-to-a-sanctuary.html

[Arkansas Granny]

1. They look like a couple of happy fellows now.

[democratisphere]

2. Very thankful for this.

[irisblue]

3. Thanks for this O.S.

[hatrack]

4. Kittehs!

[Honeycombe8]

5. One of the horrors of war: the animals.

I hope they'll stay safe, now.

Four Paws International.

[PatSeg]

6. More victims of war

I'd never thought about zoo animals in war ravaged countries.

Thanks for posting.

[Rhiannon12866]

7. I remember writing to HSUS during the invasion of Iraq, worried about the fate of zoo animals

So grateful to hear that these beautiful animals are finally on their way to a better life. Thanks so much for posting!