The traumatized lions have been relocated to a sanctuary in England after an international effort and collection to bring them to safety. A lion male and three lionesses arrived this month and joined the fourth lioness, who came already in August.
The animals were neglected and abandoned by their owners when they were found near the front line in Ukraine during Russia's invasion war.
All five of these lions originally come from the illegal trade in domestic and wild animals, says Cameron Whitnall, CEO of the Big Cat Sanctuary.
Two of the lions are believed to have been bred to be photographed with tourists as cubs, while another was kept in an apartment and was infested with parasites. The fourth lion became so traumatized by rocket fire that she lost the ability to walk, but has made progress at her new home in England.
The lions were rescued by the Wild Animals Rescue Center, which has rescued hundreds of abandoned animals since the start of the war. Many have passed through the facility near Kyiv to be sent abroad for recovery.
