Introduction

Five lions from the Baia Mare Zoo in Romania had remained in the zoo despite its closure for not respecting the guidelines for zoos set by the EU. The lions' fate was uncertain.

Objectives

 Rescuing the five lions from the authorities' tutelage

 Transferring them to the Big Cat Sanctuary LIONSROCK in South Africa

 Adapting them to the new environmental conditions

Methods

 Negotiations with the authorities, legal work for the export

 Health check (blood sample, deworming, rabies vaccination) under anesthesia, contraception program: vasectomy and hormonal implants

 Departure from Romania by truck accompanied by veterinarians, arrival at the Frankfurt airport 20 hours later

 Continuation of the transfer by plane (cargo) from Frankfurt to Johannesburg

 Last leg of journey by truck to Bethlehem for four more hours

 Releasing the lions into the new habitat, keeping them under observation for the following period

Results

 Transfer of the lions only just in time to save them from a dramatic end

 Safe and sound arrival of all the animals at their destination after a 48-hour journey

 Successful reintroduction into the new habitat

Conclusions

 High importance of an adequate birth-control program in zoos

 Improved control of the living conditions of wild animals in captivity needs to be installed

 Timing has shown to be the highest priority in the matter of big cats' transfers