Rescue Lions Lubumbashi, Kalemi and Kolwezi
From neglect to sanctuary
Born on 13 July 2009 at Lubumbashi Zoo in the Democratic Republic of Congo, lion cubs Kalemi, Kolwezi and Lubumbashi entered a world filled with uncertainty. Their birth marked a rare moment of hope in a zoo that had endured years of severe neglect, where animals often faced inadequate nutrition, limited access to clean water, poor veterinary care, and deteriorating living conditions.
The Birth of AZLU: A Lifeline for Lubumbashi Zoo
At a time when many charitable organisations in the DRC were understandably focused on urgent human welfare issues such as healthcare, education and child protection, Lubumbashi Zoo received little support.
Determined to change this, Mrs Lydia Forrest and a group of dedicated women founded AZLU (Friends of the Lubumbashi Zoo) in May 2007. Their mission was simple but vital: improve the lives of the animals living at the zoo.
Through fundraising, community support and direct involvement, AZLU assumed responsibility for the zoo's daily operations. Their efforts helped provide reliable food supplies, fresh water, cleaner enclosures and much-needed care for the animals that depended on them.
Nagera, King and an Unexpected Arrival
Among the zoo's residents were two lions with remarkable stories of their own.
Nagera, a lioness rescued from poachers after her mother was killed, was gifted to the zoo by President Joseph Kabila. King, a young South African lion, was later donated by the Governor of Katanga Province.
Although plans were made to sterilise the lions, Nagera had already conceived before the procedure could take place. On 13 July 2009, she gave birth to three healthy cubs: Kalemi, Kolwezi and Lubumbashi, each named after cities in the Katanga region.
While the cubs brought joy to the zoo, their arrival also created a serious challenge. With limited space and financial resources, Lubumbashi Zoo could not adequately accommodate three additional lions. The likely alternative would have been relocation to another under-resourced facility where conditions offered little improvement.
A New Beginning at LIONSROCK
Refusing to accept that future, Lydia Forrest and her husband worked tirelessly to secure a better life for the cubs. Their efforts, together with the support of LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, created an opportunity that would change the lions' lives forever.
On 31 March 2010, Kalemi, Kolwezi and Lubumbashi arrived safely at LIONSROCK. Partly funded through a generous contribution from Mr and Mrs Forrest, their new home provided the space, safety and specialised care they needed to thrive.
Today, the three lions continue to enjoy a safe and species-appropriate environment where they can express their natural behaviours and live free from the hardships that defined their earliest days. Congo sisters Kalemi and Kolwezi share their enclosure with Arandas, a male lion rescued from Jordan. In January 2026, Lubumbashi was successfully socialised with Khawla, and since then, they have shared Enclosure No. 2 in Unit 4.
