‘World’s loneliest lion’ returns to natural habitat after being abandoned in zoo for years
- 8 months ago
The “world’s loneliest lion” has returned to his natural habitat after he was abandoned in a private zoo for five years.
Lion Ruben, 15, was the only animal left in a private zoo in Armenia after it closed. While all the other lions were relocated, Ruben was left behind in a tiny concrete cell for five long years.
Now, Ruben has made a 5,200-mile journey from Armenia to South Africa.
The epic journey was organised by Animals Defenders International (ADI) and Qatar Airways Cargo.
ADI President Jan Creamer said: “Seeing him walk on grass for the first time, hearing the voices of his own kind, with the African sun on his back, brought us all to tears.”
Lion Ruben, 15, was the only animal left in a private zoo in Armenia after it closed. While all the other lions were relocated, Ruben was left behind in a tiny concrete cell for five long years.
Now, Ruben has made a 5,200-mile journey from Armenia to South Africa.
The epic journey was organised by Animals Defenders International (ADI) and Qatar Airways Cargo.
ADI President Jan Creamer said: “Seeing him walk on grass for the first time, hearing the voices of his own kind, with the African sun on his back, brought us all to tears.”