The Armenian Animal Rescue Coalition urgently needs to raise £46,000 to rescue three lions that have been left to starve and die in an abandoned zoo.

The desperate plight of these animals was first brought to public attention by an article in The Daily Mail Online: www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3406564/Inside-world-s-worst-zoo-Starving-bears-lions-forced-live-slaughterhouse-scraps-abandoned-Armenian-oligarch-no-wonder-no-one-s-visit-two-years.html

Since this article was published, the bears have been rescued thanks to the Brigitte Bardot Foundation, and the coalition is now desperate to rescue the lions before it is too late.

This is a direct report of the situation from Luke Gamble of WVS:

'The three lions in desperate need of rescue include Mery and her two daughters Zita and Gita. The situation is hugely stressful – and unless we act soon, all could be lost.

Zita has injuries on her head from repeatedly slamming them into the bars, but overall the outlook is positive. Thanks to the efforts of the FPWC (Foundation for the Preservation of Wildlife and Cultural Assets) team, we have been able to provide 200kg of fresh meat and have a firm plan of action in place. WVS and FPWC have signed a memorandum of understanding and are working in close partnership to build Armenia’s first wildlife rescue centre! At this stage, the rescue centre will comprise of a carefully designed enclosure that will house Mery, Zita and Gita and get them rehabilitated as we work on getting them a permanent home. It is a race against time.

Building the enclosure, hiring a keeper, transporting the lions, feeding them and providing all the required vet treatment is a big challenge.

We need to raise £46,000 ($67,000 / €60,000) to facilitate this to cover a four month period – our target to get all the paperwork and permissions in place to find them a new home. It is huge money and your support is hugely appreciated. Together with the incredible International Animal Rescue, we have currently raised about £13,000 so there is a way to go – but we are utterly committed and won’t let these animals down.

If we could fly them straight out – we all would – but the first phase of removing them from Gyumri is the focus and the best thing we can do, as quickly as possible.

Thank you for your continued help and we will update as soon as we have progress on moving the lions out of the zoo. Together with the FPWC we are on this 24/7. It is only the beginning of this challenge, but we can and will do this. The first step is always the hardest.’

Please give what you can today.

Photo Credit: Roger Allen