A lion rescued from Ukraine takes its first steps outside

A lioness rescued from war-torn Ukraine has taken her first steps outdoors at a sanctuary in Kent.

Three-year-old Yuna, who has shell-shock, arrived at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden on 17 August and stayed inside the enclosure for a week.

But the sanctuary, which previously said he was confined in a small concrete enclosure, said he had “started to show a playful and curious nature”.

This involved going outside the enclosure, feeling grass under his paws for the first time and scratching trees and logs.

Yuna he was upset when debris from a missile attack came within 300m (984ft) of the small enclosure.

He was found and taken to Wild Animal Rescue near Kyiv, which is an institution supported by the International Fund for Animal Welfare.

The shrine said that before the Russian invasion of Ukraine, he was kept in someone’s home.

Rori, the male lion, is currently in Belgium and will join the sanctuary when the special enclosure is completed in November.

Cam Whitnall, from The Big Cat Sanctuary, said staff have been “talking” to Yuna to help her feel comfortable in her new home.

“He’s been out for a few hours every day now, but we’re keeping an eye on him because he’s still moving,” he said.

He added that other activities Yuna had done included playing with plants and barks, as well as getting confused by the rain, never reaching the enclosure outside.

The sanctuary aims to raise £500,000 to complete the facility so it can eventually bring five lions in total from Kyiv to Kent.