Lionesses Carla and Frida

Lionesses Carla and Frida shared a remarkable bond shaped by fate, resilience, and the lifelong safety of sanctuary care. Their story reflects the importance of compassion, conservation, and providing rescued big cats with a secure home.

Born at LIONSROCK in 2005, Carla was hand-raised by the property's previous owner before FOUR PAWS established LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary. Later that year, she was introduced to Frida, and the two lionesses became long-term companions.

Frida arrived at LIONSROCK on 5 December 2005 after being privately purchased from a Romanian zoo. As she grew older and larger, her owner could no longer care for her and sought assistance from FOUR PAWS to provide her with a suitable permanent home.

For nearly two decades, Carla and Frida shared their lives at the sanctuary. Sadly, in November 2024, Frida was humanely euthanised following the diagnosis of a mammary gland tumour.

In August 2025, Carla was moved from Unit 3 to the Special Care Unit, where she continues to receive dedicated care from the LIONSROCK team.