Gaza lion cubs en route to new home in Jordan

Two lion cubs from Gaza are making their way to a new home in Jordan following a request by international animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS. The cubs went through a security check at the Erez crossing before they were able to proceed into Israel. The next stop for the young lions was the Allenby border crossing with Jordan, where they will live in a Jordanian animal treatment and rehabilitation center. FOUR PAWS also facilitated the September 2014 transfer of three lions, including a pregnant lioness, from the Al-Bisan Zoo in northern Gaza to Jordan after the Strip's only zoo was heavily damaged during 50 days of fighting between Hamas and Israel. The zoo in Beit Lahiya saw massive bombardments and airstrikes over the course of the seven-week operation, resulting in the death of over 80 of its animals. Twenty animals remained alive but sustained physical and psychological damage, prompting the manager of the zoo to reach out to animal charities for help. The international animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS, which has helped protect animals in war-torn countries since 1988, came to the rescue, arranging the transfer of the lions. In mid-September, an emergency team from the welfare charity arrived in Gaza to try and help save the animals that did survive, providing much-needed food and medical care, including surgeries and vaccinations.

Gaza lion cubs en route to new home in Jordan

The young lions are heading to an animal treatment center in Jordan.

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