big cat sanctuaryA lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has taken her first steps at a reserve in Kent.
Three-year-old Una, who is suffering from shell shock, arrived at the big cat sanctuary in Smaldon on August 17 and spent a week in an enclosure.
But the shelter said she had previously been confined to a small space on the concrete floor, but now she “began to show her playful and curious nature.”
This includes venturing outside her enclosure, feeling grass under her paws for the first time, and scraping against trees and logs.
Yuna He was traumatized when fragments of the missile attack fell 300m (984ft) from the small hull.
She was found and taken to the Wildlife Rescue Center near Kiev, a facility supported by the International Fund for Animal Welfare.
big cat sanctuaryThe shelter said she had been held in a private home until Russia invaded Ukraine.
Rori, the lion, is currently in Belgium and will join the reserve when a purpose-built enclosure is completed in November.
big cat sanctuaryCam Whitnall from the Big Cat Sanctuary said staff had been “chatting” with Una to help her feel comfortable in her new home.
“She comes out a few hours a day now, but we’re monitoring her because she’s still very unstable,” he said.
He added that other activities Yuna engaged in included fighting with plants and tree bark and being confused by rain because she had not been in an outdoor enclosure before.
The refuge is aiming to raise £500,000 to complete the facility so it can eventually Bringing a total of five lions From Kyiv to Kent.
