Rescued Lionesses Illiana and Tomoyo Begin New Life at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary
After a month of observation, the French lionesses are release into their permanent, species-appropriate enclosure
Bethlehem, 12 June 2025 – Two lionesses, Illiana and Tomoyo, who spent years confined in a circus near Paris, took their next steps at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary after being released into their permanent, species-appropriate enclosure. The release followed a month of careful observation and adaptation under the care of the sanctuary’s animal welfare team.
The lionesses were rescued by global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS and its partners in late 2024 and relocated to South Africa in April 2025. Upon arrival at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, they were placed in a smaller adaptation enclosure where they gradually adjusted to their new surroundings, diets, and caretakers.
Throughout their first month at LIONSROCK, staff supported by volunteers monitored their progress daily, while offering enrichment activities and tailored diets to support them during this crucial first phase in a complete new and different environment. The sanctuary team planned their transition into the larger enclosure with particular care, especially to ensure that Illiana felt safe and supported. Once released, Tomoyo confidently ventured into the one-hectare enclosure, eager to explore the trees, grassy areas, and climbing platforms. Illiana, true to her nature, took more time to assess the new space, slowly following her sister and using her as a guide.
“They showed no fear, only curiosity,” said Pirker. “This new space is vastly different from the life they knew. In the circus, they likely never ventured more than a few steps at a time. Here, they ran, explored, and interacted with nearby lionesses. It was an incredible sight.” The new enclosure offers not only natural terrain, including gradient land, trees, and open grassy fields, but also constructed lookout platforms that allow the lionesses to survey their surroundings and seek shelter. It was a habitat they had never known but immediately began to enjoy.
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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, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as sanctuaries for rescued animals in eleven countries, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org.za