Born on 13 July 2009 in the Lubumbashi Zoo in the Congo, lion cubs Kalemi, Kolwezi and Lubumbashi came into the world under difficult circumstances. The zoo had long been underfunded and neglected, with animals living in poor conditions, confined to dilapidated cages and lacking consistent food, fresh water and veterinary care.

While several non-profit organisations operated in the DRC at the time, most prioritised urgent human needs such as child welfare and disease prevention—leaving places like Lubumbashi Zoo without critical support.

Moved by the suffering she witnessed, local resident Mrs. Lydia Forrest took action. In May 2007, she and a group of women established AZLU ((which roughly translates to ‘Friends of the Lubumbashi Zoo’), a non-profit organisation committed to helping the animals of Lubumbashi Zoo. Through fundraising and hands-on involvement, AZLU began to manage the zoo’s daily operations, securing food, clean water, and improved living conditions for its residents.

Among the animals rescued during this time were two lions: Nagera, a lioness gifted by President Kabila after being rescued from poachers by Garamba Park, and King, a young lion cub donated by the Governor of the Katanga Province. Despite plans to sterilise the lions, Nagera fell pregnant before the procedure could take place. She gave birth to three healthy cubs—Kalemi, Kolwezi and Lubumbashi.

Although the birth brought hope, it also posed a challenge. The zoo lacked the space and resources to care for three additional lions. The only available alternative would have been to transfer them to another under-resourced state zoo. Determined to find a better solution, Mrs. Forrest and her husband helped secure a permanent home for the cubs at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa.

Thanks to their efforts, and the support of LIONSROCK, Kalemi, Kolwezi and Lubumbashi arrived at the sanctuary on 31 March 2010. Here, they were welcomed into a safe, species-appropriate environment where they could grow, explore, and live free from the hardships they were born into.

Their journey is a powerful example of what compassion and community can achieve—turning a story of neglect into one of hope and new beginnings.