Lion from Zoo Owned by Russian Oligarch on Armenia-Azerbaijan Border Rescued

A lion kept in miserable conditions at a long-closed private zoo has spent five years in perfect solitude and silence. The other animals had been relocated, but there was no place found for Ruben, said a representative from Animal Defenders International, a non-profit organization that rescued the animal.

The zoo located on the Armenia-Azerbaijan border was owned by a Russian oligarch. After a large-scale rescue operation, the battered, solitary lion was moved from its concrete cage to a temporary quarantine area in a protected area in Armenia. Currently, efforts are underway to transfer Ruben to his final home in South Africa, reports The Epoch Times.

Ruben's cage was only a few feet wide, but he is now living in a heated cabin with a floor covered in dry grass and a heated outdoor area. The lion was in poor condition with neglected fur and broken teeth. Ruben is also suffering from a neurological illness, likely resulting from a brain or spinal injury.

Efforts are currently being made to help the lion regain his health and strength so that he can be transferred to a wildlife sanctuary in his native Africa. There, staff will have access to more modern technology, allowing them to treat his serious issues and perform dental work.

Preparatory work is currently underway to transport Ruben to South Africa in March. The journey requires meticulous planning, including obtaining necessary permits, constructing a special crate, preparing his new living environment, and booking flight tickets. After this long journey, Ruben will finally be able to find the life he has always deserved.

Animal Defenders International has been working for over 20 years to end the suffering of animals in captivity. To date, they have successfully rescued hundreds of animals, including lions and tigers from different circuses around the world.