Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/british-veteran-rescues-lion-wolf-ukraine-zoo/
Tim Locks from the U.K. is no stranger to war. He fought ISIS in Iraq and didn’t hesitate to enter war-torn Ukraine to help animals in the crosshairs.
He saw a need and acted. Locks was delivering much-needed supplies to people in Lviv when he heard about the stranded animals. With no previous experience moving wild animals, he and a group of courageous rescuers volunteered to rescue the lion and the wolf – the last remaining animals at a closed Ukrainian Zoo near the frontline.
Several animal welfare organizations and locals were involved to arrange all the necessary paperwork and act as translators. Locks and his team arrived to drive the vans through the dangerous streets and retrieve the animals.
“I couldn´t find a driver from Romania to go and help, also not from Ukraine, so these guys were absolutely fabulous – they put their lives in danger,” Roxana Ciornei, president of the Romania-based animal rights group Patrocle´s House, told the Associated Press. “But they arrived safely here.”
The lion named Simba and wolf named Akela were kept in their cages and carefully lifted into the back of vans with a crane.
“It took 3 hours to load both animals into the back of a ford transit minibus with the seats removed using a crane and a JCB. We are now heading out of the city while the air rade sirens going off with a police escort. Long way to go but all going well so far. Further updates will come as we push on. Everyone needs evacuating and there are plenty of teams looking after people. Strangely, no one else wanted to do this….so this is what we do,” posted Locks.
The rescue team made their way to the Romanian border only stopping to feed the animals when it was safe. It took four days and after overcoming many obstacles, everyone arrived safe.
Simba and Akela were taken in by a Romanian zoo and will remain there for a month in quarantine. Locks shared an update on the rescued animals. “We’ve just heard back from the zoo in Romania and it’s amazing to hear that both Simba and Akela are settling in well. Both are eating and drinking plenty and enjoying some « chill » time after the long journey,” he wrote.
After quarantine, Simba and Akela will part ways and head to sanctuaries to live out the rest of their lives.
Locks went on to say, “As for us, we’re well rested and spending the time reorganising vehicles and kit while we wait for the next task.”
These heroes are ready to rescue more animals from zoos or reserves and ask anyone in need of help to contact them at +44(0)7540 785656 (Toll free).
Join us in caring and feeding for the people and pets of Ukraine by donating here.
Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog
