International Rescue Effort Spanning Three Continents

30 lions and tigers travel from Argentina to South Africa and the United States

• FOUR PAWS has started relocating 30 lions and tigers from the former Zoo Luján in Argentina.
• 15 big cats are being transferred to FOUR PAWS’ LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, while 15 others will find a new home at The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, USA.
• The lions and tigers will receive lifelong, species-appropriate care tailored to their individual behavioural and medical needs.

Bethlehem, 18 August 2026 – Global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS has reached a major milestone in its emergency mission at the former Zoo Luján in Argentina. Following months of preparation, 30 big cats began their journey to new homes on 17 August. Nine tigers and six lions are being relocated to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, operated by FOUR PAWS. In addition, FOUR PAWS has partnered with The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado, USA, to provide eight tigers and seven lions with species-appropriate care. These relocations build on a comprehensive veterinary assessment of more than 60 big cats and two bears at the former zoo, carried out by FOUR PAWS in November 2025, which laid the foundation for the rescue mission.

Over the course of four days, the FOUR PAWS team carefully prepared and loaded the big cats for transport. While some animals voluntarily entered their transport crates following specialised training, others were safely sedated and transferred into their crates under veterinary supervision. After receiving final veterinary clearance, the animals departed Buenos Aires on passenger and cargo flights to their new homes.

The relocated animals include family groups and lifelong companions, who will remain together in their new sanctuary homes. There, they will receive tailored care and treatment for a range of health conditions, including dental disease, kidney problems, complications associated with declawing, and poorly healed injuries. Prior to their rescue, all had been living in small concrete enclosures at the former Zoo Luján, which was closed by Argentine authorities in 2020.

“Today marks a fantastic milestone for these lions and tigers and for animal welfare in Argentina. While we are proud of what we have achieved, our work is far from over. Our focus now is on securing sustainable, long-term solutions for the remaining big cats at the former Zoo Luján. And we keep working with the Argentine government to strengthen legal protections for big cats and prevent such suffering in the future,” says Luciana D’Abramo, Chief Programme Officer at FOUR PAWS.

“Bringing 30 big cats out of Argentina has been far more than a simple relocation. It has been an enormous logistical undertaking, but seeing these animals begin their journey to a better future makes every effort worthwhile. After years of inadequate conditions, they finally have the chance to receive the specialised care and species-appropriate environment they deserve,” says FOUR PAWS veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil, who leads the emergency mission at former Zoo Luján.

Author: Deidre Daniels.