16 Years of Freedom & Friendship for Lionesses Kara & Lea
Rescued from hardship, now flourishing together at LIONSROCK
Bethlehem, 27 October 2026 – 29 October marks the rescueversary of lionesses Kara and Lea, LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary celebrates 16 years of safety, companionship and expert care for two lions rescued from difficult beginnings in Romania and Bulgaria.
In 2010, two young lionesses, Kara from Romania and Lea from Bulgaria arrived at LIONSROCK after separate rescue journeys and survival. From the moment they were releases from their transport crates, the decision was made to place them together. Recognising lions' natural social needs, sanctuary staff introduced the young lionesses to one another, giving them the opportunity to form a bond that continues today.
Lea was born in 2009 and was handed over to the Bulgarian authorities and FOUR PAWS in April 2010 by a private owner. After her rescue she was temporarily cared for by Sofia Zoo which agreed to provide a safe place for her until FOUR PAWS could arrange her transfer to LIONSROCK. Lea had endured the painful and unnecessary practice of de-clawing sometimes carried out to make lions less dangerous.
Kara’s early life was marked by tragedy as well. Although the last lions from Tecuci Zoo in Romania had already been transferred to LIONSROCK, two additional cubs were born there in August 2008. After their mother died the cubs were given to a private individual. One of the cubs was killed during a fight with a dog when it was only six months old, leaving Kara alone and vulnerable. FOUR PAWS later stepped in and brought Kara into their care, transferring her to LIONSROCK.
LIONSROCK, operated by global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS, provides lifelong care for rescued big cats that cannot be returned to the wild.
For more information, please visit our website at www.lionsrock.org
/ENDS
Deidre Daniels
Public Relations Officer9B Bell Crescent, Westlake Business Park,
Green Building, Cape Town, 7945
A Public Relations professional with over eight years’ experience in fostering positive relationships between organisations and media.
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FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as 13 wild animal sanctuaries and cooperation projects across the globe, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org.za