 "From abuse to sanctuary: How Sara the Lion cub escaped war-hit Lebanon")
When Sara first reached the care of her rescuers, she was in a grave state. The lion cub was ill, exhausted, and bore clear signs of abuse, with her small body riddled with ringworms.
After spending two months under the care of an animal rights group in a small Beirut apartment, Sara’s fortune took a dramatic turn.
The four-and-a-half-month-old lion cub embarked on a long journey via yacht and planes, evading both abusive ownership and the chaos of Israeli airstrikes. She finally arrived at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa last Friday, reported AP.
Sara’s story of rescue & survival
Sara is the fifth lion cub evacuated from Lebanon by Animals Lebanon since the exchange of fire between Hezbollah and Israel, which began following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel that ignited the Gaza war.
The rescue group discovered Sara on social media in July. Her owner, a man from Baalbek, Lebanon, flaunted her in dramatic TikTok and Instagram videos, using her as a display of status. AP quoted Jason Mier, the executive director of Animals Lebanon, who described her as “really just being used as showing off.”
Lebanese law prohibits the private ownership of wild and exotic animals. Acting on this, Animals Lebanon filed a case with the police and judiciary in mid-September, leading to the owner’s interrogation and surrender of Sara.
However, tensions escalated soon after. Israel intensified its operations against Hezbollah, launching airstrikes on Baalbek. Mier and his team managed to rescue Sara and relocate her to Beirut weeks before the bombardment of the ancient city began.
Sara’s narrow escape amid war
Sara was initially slated to fly to South Africa in October, but plans were disrupted when airlines ceased operations in Lebanon due to the escalating conflict. The region saw intensifying violence as Hezbollah launched rockets into Israel in solidarity with Hamas, prompting a robust Israeli military response.
Amidst this turmoil, Animals Lebanon continued its mission, rescuing hundreds of pets left in damaged homes and aiding displaced families. “Lots are still in our care because the owners of these animals are still displaced,” Mier noted.
A new chapter in South Africa for Sara
Unfazed by the war surrounding her, Sara thrived under the care of her rescuers, growing to 40 kilograms (88 pounds) on a diet of raw meat and daily cuddles with Mier’s wife, Maggie. But the team faced a critical challenge—finding a way to evacuate her safely.
Through global donations, Animals Lebanon arranged for Sara’s escape. She was transported on a yacht to Cyprus, then flew to the UAE, and finally landed in Cape Town.
Last Thursday, Sara’s journey concluded as she departed from Lebanon’s Dbayeh port. Mier and his team, though relieved, found it hard to part with her.
Sara will now undergo monitoring and disease control before being integrated with two other lions previously rescued from Lebanon. “That’s where she will live out the rest of her life. That is the best option for her,” Mier shared, expressing hope for her bright future.
With inputs from AP
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