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Ozzy
R1,000.00 – R10,000.00Born: 2025-04-17Rescued: 2025-10-15Ozzy and Sharon were confiscated from an illegal zoo in Hazmieh in Lebanon that was abusing them as photo props to make a quick dollar, letting them be pawed at by the public without a second of thought for their wellbeing or needs.The owner of the zoo (who, in the words of his lawyer, does not care about the law) disappeared with the cubs when the authorities initially tried to confiscate them, but the cubs were fortunately finally confiscated.Ozzy and Sharon were in poor condition when they were discovered, weighing just 7 kilograms each, but are recovering well. On 2025-10-14, they began their journey to us at Drakenstein Lion Park to live out the rest of their natural lives happily in our expert care.Animals Lebanon reached out to Qatar Airways to assist with the transport of Ozzy and Sharon’s specially-designed travel crate, and they kindly offered to sponsor the cost of the flights for this rescue. -
Sara
R1,000.00 – R10,000.00Born: 2024-05-01
Rescued: 2024-11-15
Sara was rescued from a criminal lion seller who had brutally declawed and scarred her. The process to have her confiscated from this individual was long and fraught with danger, particularly given the bombings and war in the Middle East at the time of her rescue, but she was fortunately able to be placed into Animals Lebanon’s safe care until she could be relocated to our sanctuary. After months of logistical planning to get her out of the warzone, Sara is now safe from being a criminal’s prop, and will remain in our expert care for the rest of her natural life.
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Tarzan
R1,000.00 – R10,000.00Tarzan was born on 01-07-2016 and arrived at the sanctuary on 30-05-17 We were asked to provide a lifetime home for this lion by Panthera Africa, who did not have the capacity to house him. The lion originates from the Free State (the epicenter of canned hunting). -
Sharon
R1,000.00 – R10,000.00Born: 2025-04-17Rescued: 2025-10-15Ozzy and Sharon were confiscated from an illegal zoo in Hazmieh in Lebanon that was abusing them as photo props to make a quick dollar, letting them be pawed at by the public without a second of thought for their wellbeing or needs.The owner of the zoo (who, in the words of his lawyer, does not care about the law) disappeared with the cubs when the authorities initially tried to confiscate them, but the cubs were fortunately finally confiscated.Ozzy and Sharon were in poor condition when they were discovered, weighing just 7 kilograms each, but are recovering well. On 2025-10-14, they began their journey to us at Drakenstein Lion Park to live out the rest of their natural lives happily in our expert care.Animals Lebanon reached out to Qatar Airways to assist with the transport of Ozzy and Sharon’s specially-designed travel crate, and they kindly offered to sponsor the cost of the flights for this rescue. -
Edina
R1,000.00 – R10,000.00Edina was born in May 2008. Edina was rescued from the illegal pet trade in Romania. Lion cubs sold into the pet trade in Romania are normally used as photographic props and lead a terrible existence. They are normally beaten, drugged, badly fed and often declawed and defanged! Often the cubs are kept in car boots! Most of the animals caught in this industry do not live for more than a year. Edina arrived at the Sanctuary on 25-02-2009. Her rescue was made possible by the following sponsors: SOS Dogs Romania, Hundehilfe, The Marchig Animal Welfare Trust and Animal Travel Services (www.animal-travel.com) who once again assisted with the import free of charge. Her enclosure was sponsored by The Winsome Constance Kindness Trust -
Athena – White Lion
R1,000.00 – R10,000.00Athena was born at the sanctuary on 15-12-2015. Parents: Brutus & Nala Her birth was a complete surprise as her father, Brutus, had been surgically sterilised five years prior. -
Simba
R1,000.00 – R10,000.00Born: 2024-04-02
Rescued: 2025-05-23
Simba is yet another lion rescued from the illegal pet trade in Lebanon. He was surrendered by his owner so that he can live out his life with the respect, dignity, care, and space he deserves in our species-appropriate Sanctuary.
Although the start of his life was far from ideal, Simba is a self-assured lion and has fully embraced his life in safety.
Many thanks go to Animals Lebanon for all of their help in Simba’s rescue, as well as Animal Travel Services and Emirates, and everyone else involved in ensuring Simba could be rescued.
