Born in May 2011, lioness Andi began her life in Romania under deeply troubling circumstances. Purchased from a zoo in Timisoara by two young women, she was intended to serve as a live mascot for photo shoots with tourists on the beach. But when they discovered that private ownership of wild animals was illegal in Romania, the women handed Andi over to a well-meaning animal lover who agreed to care for her at his home outside Timisoara.

Unfortunately, while intentions may have been good, the conditions were far from appropriate for a growing lion cub. Andi spent nearly 20 hours a day confined to a 9m² room, completely isolated. For a naturally active, playful young lion, this lonely confinement was physically and emotionally damaging.

In the months before her rescue, the private caregiver followed guidance from FOUR PAWS veterinarians, adjusting her diet and medical treatment to prepare Andi for a better life. On 5 July 2012, Andi finally found peace and freedom when she arrived at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa — a place where she could finally feel the earth under her paws and the sun on her back.

Nearly a decade later, in 2021, Andi was successfully socialised with a male lion named Simba, forging a rare and special bond. Simba sadly passed away in March 2025. 

Today, Andi continues to thrive at LIONSROCK, surrounded by the peace, dignity, and freedom that all wild animals deserve — a far cry from the small room in which her story began.