Animal rights activists rescued a lion who spent 6 years in a cage all alone (45 photos)

Meet Ruben, a lion who was rescued from a pathetic existence in “solitude” of an abandoned zoo in Armenia. In August this year the animal protection organization Animal Defenders International carried out a large-scale operation to transport Ruben to South Africa, where he will be able to live in a lion reserve.





Ruben was left alone when the private zoo where he kept, closed, and other animals were taken away. He didn't hear a single one lion's roar for six years now. Animal rights activists from ADI accidentally found out about him, and decided to take part in his fate.

After all preparations, including arranging transport, all necessary veterinary examinations and other logistics, the ADI team in Armenia was ready to send Ruben to his new home in South Africa.



The details of this story were told by Tim Phillips, vice president of ADI:

“A friend told us about a lion living all alone in abandoned zoo in Armenia. The owner of a private zoo has died, zoo closed, and all the animals were taken away, except for one lion, which remained. This story really struck us. It seemed so heartless - How could you take the rest of the lions away and leave one behind?

Isolation from members of one’s own species is enormous. problem for many animals in captivity, but what seems to be even bigger What added to Ruben's isolation was that he knew other animals around him, and then suddenly his world went silent. So we started to find out more about him and where he can be kept while we take measures to its removal from Armenia and to the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary.”





“We were afraid that solitary confinement was affecting Ruben's ability to growl, and that he would have a very difficult time adapting to new conditions. So we were all stunned by the speed with which Ruben accepted his new life in the reserve! His whole behavior changed the minute he stepped out of his shipping crate.

We thought that he might come out, fall and lie in confusion. Instead, he walked out, swayed, and headed for the big one. pear with catnip and started playing with it. He's completely engrossed the situation around him, checks everything, plays with things, watches what is happening nearby.

There is something special about bringing animals home, natural habitat, into the world for which nature created them. Seeing him put his big paw on African soil for the first time after living on concrete on the other side of the world, it was magical. It seems to him really liked the sun caressing his back and the wind, fluttering his mane.

He could barely take a few steps in Armenia without falling. WITH the very first day at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary he walked forward, keeping your balance and moving on. His mobility, coordination and balance has improved significantly. Thanks to all this physical therapy, he also getting stronger.

Our vet examined him this week and was amazed its improvement in such a short time. He noted that interaction Ruben's toys help him move and maintain balance, and his curved spine gets better. This is a combination of treatments that he receives, and Ruben’s own enthusiasm and determination.”



So, here is a photo story of how the operation to rescue Ruben took place. Exciting and touching.

Animal protection organization ADI decided to rescue the lion and transport it to a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa



The first step was to find a plane with such cargo doors to accommodate a large shipping container containing an animal



This is where the Qatar Airways charity program came to the rescue — the airline provided a wide-body aircraft on one of its passenger routes and donated space on board for the lion



Finally the date was set and on August 22nd the lion set out on the journey of his life.



After all preparations were completed, the ADI Armenia team was ready to send Ruben to his new home



Leo traveled comfortably in a specially designed transport container in a sealed compartment of an aircraft with controlled temperature







Ruben's flight to freedom took 14 hours, including a plane change in Doha





Reuben finally arrived in South Africa





For the first time in six years, he came face to face with a lioness. It was Izi the lioness from the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary











Once all entry formalities were completed, Ruben officially became a South African "citizen"



The lion was then transported to the final destination of his journey - the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary





Ruben was monitored by a medical team every step of the way







A few weeks before the arrival of a new resident from Armenia ADI took care to create the ideal environment for him habitat in your reserve



Arriving at his new home, Ruben at first remained in his container where I felt safe. He had water there food and a chance to recover



“The other animals reacted to his arrival immediately. Simba and Ray, two lions we rescued from a circus in Peru, came and lay down watch Ruben. They showed no aggression, posturing or territorial behavior, they were simply interested in their new neighbor Two tigers, Max and Stripes, standing on the other side of Ruben, did the same, coming to see who was new in town. Ruben watched them with the same interest.”

Ruben finally heard the roar of his fellow lions - Simba, Rey and Caesar





A lone lion from Armenia set foot on African soil for the first time



“The most touching thing was when he came out of his transport box, swaying, but quickly pulled himself together, then he walked over to the bag of catnip and started playing with it. It was his first toy. During the day he destroyed it and lay down with his mane, full of catnip! He seemed to find solace in this toy and kept coming back to her and sleeping with her.”



After leaving the container, he went straight to the bag of catnip and played with his first toy.





He is determined to go, even though his legs are giving way.





His roar gets stronger and louder as he listens to the roar of his lion neighbors



“Leos can take days or even weeks to growl when they first arrive at the reserve. They are on new territory, they don’t know who is nearby, so they can be careful making their presence known. On his first morning, Ruben made a small roar, and gradually it gets louder.”



Six years of emptiness and loneliness are over; now next to Ruben is in the company of others like him, he walks on the grass and basks under African sun









He still has a long road to recovery and perhaps closer interaction with other big cats, but no doubts that he is on the right path to a happier life