Honouring Vasylyna, Supporting Nikola: A Story of Love, Loss and Resilience
After the sudden passing of Vasylyna, LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary is focused on guiding Nikola through his grief and ensuring he continues to thrive
It is with heavy hearts that we remember the sudden passing of lioness Vasylyna, who left us last year. Her journey, from surviving conflict in Ukraine to finding safety and love in our sanctuaries, touched everyone who followed her story.
Rescued as a young cub from the war‑torn streets of Ukraine, Vasylyna arrived at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary frightened, vulnerable, and in need of gentle rehabilitation. There, she slowly regained her strength and confidence.
It was also at FELIDA that she met Nikola, a young lion rescued from Montenegro. Their connection grew naturally, from curious interactions to playful bonding and mutual grooming. Caregivers fondly described their relationship as the love story of “Nikolyna.”
In April 2024, the pair embarked on a new chapter under the African sun at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, where they could finally experience the freedom and peace they deserved.
When Vasylyna passed away unexpectedly, the loss was devastating. She was still young, and previous health checks had shown no signs of underlying concerns. The shock was deeply felt by her caretakers and by Nikola, who suddenly found himself without his companion.
Since Vasylyna’s passing, Nikola has been receiving individualised support from our behaviour consultant. His tailored care plan includes:
- Close behavioural observation to monitor his emotional needs
- Additional enrichment activities from volunteers to keep his environment stimulating
- Occasional enclosure swaps to offer new scents, sights, and experiences
- Access to neighbouring enclosures for safe visual contact and social stimulation
His enclosure is one of four linked through gates to the next one, giving the team flexibility to swap Nikola and his neighbours.
Looking ahead, we hope to find Nikola a suitable companion again. He is still young, and lions are social animals who benefit greatly from companionship. While we currently have no suitable match at LIONSROCK, this may change in future.
Although her life was far too short, Vasylyna’s story remains one of courage, recovery and hope, a symbol of why sanctuaries matter and why every rescued animal deserves safety, dignity, and love. Rest gently, Vasylyna. You were more than a survivor.
For more information, please visit our website at www.lionsrock.org
/ENDS
Deidre Daniels
Public Relations Officer+27 (0)21 702 4277
+27 (0)78 675 8220
9B 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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