Original Article: https://blog.theanimalrescuesite.greatergood.com/ukraine-lion-mir-rescued/

Millions of Ukrainians have fled their country since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine began, often with their beloved pets in tow.

But many larger animals, particularly wildlife, can’t be easily evacuated or carried to safety. A lonely lion named Mir was one of those unlucky animals trapped in Ukraine since Russia’s brutal invasion began.

Thankfully, a Ukrainian rescue group called Warriors of Wildlife (WOW) learned about Mir’s plight and–with support from Greater Good Charities and The Animal Rescue Site–worked tirelessly to save him.

Rescuers discovered the lonely lion while they were rescuing Masha, a Ukrainian circus bear who spent 19 years forced to perform while living in a tiny cage.

When rescuers first found Mir, the lion was living in a small, filthy enclosure. Not only was the space too small for an adult lion, but Mir’s water was also dirty and frozen, while old meat, bones, and feces piled up around his cage.

And as bombs fell all around him, the terrified lion had no way to escape the war.

“Located in one of the western areas of Ukraine not far from Lviv, this boy had nowhere to go amongst the ongoing turmoil of the Russian invasion into Ukraine,” WOW wrote on Facebook. “Being kept in a cage covered in filth and lack of clean drinking water, his future appeared to be non-existent.”

But rescuers remained determined to bring this beautiful lion to safety. The rescue mission would involve evacuating the lion through an active war zone, but brave rescuers weren’t deterred by the danger.

“Just like so many other people and animals throughout Ukraine, each day for Mir has been completely terrifying,” wrote WOW, which enlisted support from Greater Good Charities and the Animal Rescue Site to conduct this rescue mission. “Leaving him behind wasn’t an option.”

Rescuers decided Mir’s best chance would be crossing the border into Romania, where the lion could recover at a local zoo while rescuers arranged to transfer him to a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa.

Of course, moving an animal of Mir’s size is never a straightforward venture. These complex logistics were further complicated by the war.

Thankfully, the first part of Mir’s journey (from Ukraine to Romania) has gone off without a hitch, according to rescuers, who have safely transported the lion to a holding facility in Romania.

“He has now safely entered into Romania, where we will be bringing him to a zoo that can temporarily hold him while we work out the remaining logistics,” wrote rescuers. WOW will transport the lion to “a species-appropriate area where he can live peacefully and enjoy being a lion” as soon as possible.

Of course, Mir’s happy ending wouldn’t be possible without Animal Rescue Site readers, whose generous donations helped provide the means to rescue this lion from Urkaine’s war.

“Mir’s name means “peace” in Ukrainian,” rescuers explained. “We hope for peace. We pray for peace, and we will continue to assist as much as possible.” Thanks for giving Mir the chance to experience peace as well!

Please make a donation to help us support other people and animals in Ukraine. With your support, we can provide critical aid to help the two- and four-legged victims of Ukraine’s war.

Source: The Animal Rescue Site Blog