Lion cubs rescued from Ukraine get new home in Minnesota

A group of lion cubs who were orphaned amid Ukraine’s ongoing war with Russia have arrived safely at an animal sanctuary in Minnesota.

The cubs were moved to the Poznan Zoo in Poland after surviving bombings and drone attacks in Ukraine. The small pride — a male named Taras and three females named Stefania, Lesya and Prada — are all between 4 and 5 months old.

Prada came from a breeder near Kyiv while Taras, Stefania and Lesya were found in Odessa, according to the International Fund for Animal Welfare. They’d been given to animal rescue organizations in Ukraine after the country started cracking down on the exotic pet trade.

“These cubs have endured more in their short lives than any animal should,” Meredith Whitney, the wildlife rescue program manager at the IFAW, said in a statement.

The cats are now at the Wildcat Sanctuary in Sandstone, about 90 miles north of Minneapolis, after landing in the U.S. on Tuesday.

“We know there are more bumps in the road to come, but we committed to the long journey,” the sanctuary said in a statement. “Both for the animals, but also for the humans who are dedicating themselves to helping each other and the animals during this very difficult time of war. Our hearts are with them all.”

The sanctuary houses nearly 130 lions, tigers, cheetahs, leopards and other wildcats. Members of the public can take a virtual tour of the facilities online.