Lions (Panthera Leo)

The rescued big cats at LIONSROCK currently sit at more than 80 and come from 16 different countries around the world.

At LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, these animals have found a safe, permanent home after being rescued from a wide range of circumstances.

They have come from Argentina, Austria, Bulgaria, the Democratic Republic of Congo, France, Gaza, Germany, Great Britain, Iraq, Jordan, the Netherlands, Romania, Serbia, South Africa, Switzerland, and Syria.

Here, you can learn more about LIONSROCK, meet our remarkable big cats, and discover their unique rescue stories.

Rescued French circus lioness at a sanctuary

Rescue Lionesses Tomoyo and Illiana

A fresh start soon in South Africa for former French circus lions

Rescue Lion Romeo

When your only purpose in life is to entertain others

Lions Izzy, Leo and Sam at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem, South Africa

Rescue Sudan Lions

A journey from conflict to sanctuary

Rescue The Golden Pride

Ten lions saved from unsafe keeping conditions find safety at LIONSROCK

Felida Five group at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem, South Africa

Rescue Lions Roman, Vincent, Dolf, Ellie, Geena

From sadness to safety: Roman, Vincent, Dolf, Ellie, and Geena find a new home at LIONSROCK

Lion Nikola at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in 2025

Rescue Lion Nikola

A traumatic start in life with a happy ending

Rescue Lions Samson and Tom

Tom and Samson settling into their new lives at LIONSROCK

Lioness Ruby at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem, South Africa

Rescue Lions Ruby and TJ

From captivity to compassion, a sanctuary's impact

White lioness Uhuru at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, South Africa

Rescue Lions Uhuru and Jua

Full circle as two lions return home to LIONSROCK

Lion Motan at LIONSROCK in Bethlehem, South Africa.

Rescue Lions Motan and Pisa

Motan and Pisa have settled in incredibly well at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

Lioness Nala at the Big Cat Sanctuary LIONSROCK in South Africa

Rescue Lioness Nala

Once exploited for human amusement to living a species appropriate life at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

Rescue Lions Juba and Micca

A happy ending: Two South African lions rescued after veld fire swept through their enclosures

Lioness Neida at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, South Africa

Rescue Lions Neida, Nora and Kongo

Three lions given a second chance after years in captivity

Lion Cornel at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa

Rescue Lions Ivan and Cornel

The brothers from Belgrade Zoo now live their best lives at LIONSROCK

Rescue Lioness Andi

From isolation to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

Picture Lioness Simona in her enclosure at LIONSROCK

Rescue Lioness Simona

From hotel captivity to a new life at LIONSROCK

Photographed - lionesses Lea and Kara at LIONSROCK

Rescue Lionesses Kara and Lea

Rescued from Bulgaria and Romania

Lion Mario at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

Rescue Lions Mario and Marion

Rescued from being sold into canned hunting

Lion Arandas at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

Rescue Lions Amra, Arandas, Muhawish and Khawla

Four lions whose journey still echoes through their enclosure

Lions Paco, Richard and Rici huddled amongst the grass

Rescue Lions Paco, Richard and Rici

The first all-male pride at LIONSROCK

Lion Jengo at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa

Rescue Braila Group

From hardship and neglect to a fight for survival

Lionesses Tara, Sheeba and Ounooi at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem, South Africa

Rescue Lionesses Tara, Sheeba and Ounooi

A trio spared from a grim fate

Lionesses Son, Malika and Thandi at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem, South Africa

Rescue Genghes and Khan Group

From a life of exploitation to experiencing a second chance

Our Animals

Donate

Image	Copyright	Author
###IMAGE###	###COPYRIGHT###	###AUTHOR###

A fresh start soon in South Africa for former French circus lions

When your only purpose in life is to entertain others

A journey from conflict to sanctuary

Ten lions saved from unsafe keeping conditions find safety at LIONSROCK

From sadness to safety: Roman, Vincent, Dolf, Ellie, and Geena find a new home at LIONSROCK

A traumatic start in life with a happy ending

Tom and Samson settling into their new lives at LIONSROCK

From captivity to compassion, a sanctuary's impact

Full circle as two lions return home to LIONSROCK

Motan and Pisa have settled in incredibly well at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

Once exploited for human amusement to living a species appropriate life at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

A happy ending: Two South African lions rescued after veld fire swept through their enclosures

Three lions given a second chance after years in captivity

The brothers from Belgrade Zoo now live their best lives at LIONSROCK

From isolation to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary

From hotel captivity to a new life at LIONSROCK

Rescued from Bulgaria and Romania

Rescued from being sold into canned hunting

Four lions whose journey still echoes through their enclosure

The first all-male pride at LIONSROCK

From hardship and neglect to a fight for survival

A trio spared from a grim fate

From a life of exploitation to experiencing a second chance

Search