In a moment that touched many hearts, a lioness named Yuna took her first steps outside at her new home in The Big Cat Sanctuary.
After being rescued from a war-torn region, where she was confined to a small, cold enclosure, Yuna is finally starting to experience what freedom feels like.
Three-year-old Yuna arrived at the sanctuary shocked and heartbroken after surviving missile attacks. Debris had landed just about 900 feet from her enclosure, leaving her severely traumatized.
Before she was rescued by the Wild Animal Rescue, Yuna spent her days on a concrete floor in a private home.
For a week after her arrival at her current and permanent sanctuary, Yuna stayed inside her new enclosure, adjusting to the change. But the sanctuary’s staff was gentle and patient, and soon they began to notice a transformation in her spirit.
Slowly but surely, her curious and playful side began to emerge.
It took some time, but the day finally came when Yuna came outside. She felt grass beneath her tortured paws for the very first time, and explored her surroundings calmly and cautiously.
She scratched at trees and logs and even found joy in playfully fighting with plants and bark. The video is both heart-wrenching and heartwarming:
Cam W. from The BCS, said:
“She comes out for a few hours each day now, but we’re monitoring her because she’s still very wobbly.”
The team has been spending time talking with Yuna to help her feel more at ease in her new environment. They shared how she was bewildered by the rain, having never experienced the outdoors before.
Yuna’s journey to recovery is far from over, but her resilience is inspiring. She’s the first of five lions rescued from war-torn areas to make her home at the sanctuary.
Soon, she’ll be joined by Rori, a male lion, once his specially built enclosure is complete in the coming months. The sanctuary is working hard to raise the remaining funds needed to finish the facility and provide a home for all five lions.
Seeing Yuna enjoy the grass and fresh air is so inspiring, with every new day, she is gaining confidence, and her playful behaviors are a sign that she’s on the road to a brighter future.
She is still a bit wobbly when she walks, but her face is so much brighter, and there’s a spark in her eyes – a new zest for life.
I hope all five lions are safe and sound soon, and that they’ll join Yuna in their new permanent home.
The Big Cat Sanctuary (TBCS) shared a new update on Yuna, and seeing her enjoy her enclosure and rolling around at night feels so heartwarming! I can only imagine how rewarding it must feel for her rescuers.
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