Two rescued lions, two years on

Tsar and Jamil (c) Lyndon Brandt

Do you remember Tsar and Jamil? Born in January 2021 at a zoo in Ukraine, these stunning lions were just terrified cubs when rescued, after being exploited as tourist attractions at an ostrich farm.  

Two years on, and the difference is remarkable – the mighty pair are thriving, with the brothers happily sharing a spacious bush enclosure in their ancestral homeland. They enjoy life amidst the peace and privacy of our big cat sanctuary at Shamwari Private Game Reserve, in the Eastern Cape.

Tsar and Jamil before their arrival at Shamwari

It was two years ago, following our successful fundraising appeal, that Tsar and Jamil were carefully loaded into special travelling crates at their halfway house at Natuurhulpcentrum, a wildlife rescue centre in Belgium, and gently transported to Shamwari. Under the watchful eye of our expert term, they undertook the epic 8,000-mile journey, by road and air – one third of the way around the globe.

It was a major undertaking, but the brothers dashed straight out of their crates and seemed to quickly settle into their spacious 2.5-acre natural bush enclosure. After just a few days they appeared calm and relaxed, lounging on the deck of their viewing platform.

Two years on from this dramatic relocation, we spoke to our Animal Care Manager at Shamwari, Glen Vena, to find out how they’re coming along. “Tsar and Jamil are thriving – two magnificent lions who have truly come into their own since they arrived with us. Whether peacefully napping in the shade, or playfully chasing one another, they radiate confidence and joy.

“Watching them at rest is a special kind of magic: they lie utterly still, surrounded by the sounds of nature – birds calling, leaves rustling, and the gentle hum of life all around them. It’s in these moments of peace we’re reminded how far they’ve come, and how safe we hope they now feel.

“When they’re not sleeping, Tsar and Jamil are curious explorers, climbing their elevated platforms, sprinting across the grass, and testing the boundaries of their playfulness. They’re in superb health – strong, muscular, and fit. They have transformed here.”

Tsar and Jamil will always rely on our care. Thank you to all of you, including our friends at British Airways Holidays and Cargolux, who helped give them a wonderful loving forever home, where nature intended. Meanwhile, our work continues to expose and end the exploitation of wild animals for human profit.

Scroll down to see more photos of Tsar and Jamil today!