More Than Medicine: One Vet, One Team, a Lifetime of Care

This World Veterinary Day, FOUR PAWS recognises Dr Christine Steyrer and the team behind LIONSROCK’s rescued big cats.

Bethlehem, 15 April 2026 – When most people imagine the work of a veterinarian, they picture stethoscopes, surgeries and medical charts. At LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem, Free State, veterinary care looks very different, and it certainly never happens alone.

As the world marks World Veterinary Day on 25 April 2026, FOUR PAWS shines a light on the dedicated team behind the scenes at LIONSROCK, where around 100 rescued lions, tigers and leopards receive lifelong care. At the centre of this effort is Dr Christine Steyrer, resident veterinarian at LIONSROCK since 2020, whose work reflects both the complexity and the heart of modern wildlife veterinary medicine. “People often think the vet makes all the decisions,” Christine explains. “But at LIONSROCK, every medical outcome depends on collaboration, from animal caretakers and logistics teams to international FOUR PAWS experts. The animals’ benefit because we work together.”

Working at a true sanctuary rather than private practice has reshaped Christine’s approach to veterinary care. Many of the big cats at LIONSROCK come from backgrounds of neglect, exploitation or poor keeping conditions, often arriving with chronic health conditions that require long-term, individualised management. “As a vet, I’ve learnt that patience is just as important as clinical skill,” she says. “You’re not only treating an illness, you’re supporting an animal’s physical and emotional recovery over years.”

This philosophy has led to the adoption of new techniques and specialised equipment at LIONSROCK. Portable digital X-ray units, ultrasound machines and advanced anaesthetic monitoring systems allow the veterinary team to perform detailed diagnostics on site, reducing stress and transport risks for the animals. Preventive healthcare, geriatric care and tailored pain management plans are now central to daily routines.

Christine has also embraced positive reinforcement training alongside animal caretakers, enabling some health checks to be carried out without full anaesthesia. “That’s a huge step forward,” she explains. “It improves safety for the animals and allows us to monitor their health more regularly.”

Behind every successful procedure is a network of people working seamlessly together. Animal caretakers or volunteers are often the first to notice subtle changes in behaviour or appetite. The veterinary team ensure medication, equipment and emergency supplies are always available. International FOUR PAWS colleagues provide specialist advice, training and support when complex cases arise.

This teamwork was especially evident during Christine’s recent support role in the FOUR PAWS emergency mission at the former Zoo Luján in Argentina, where over 60 big cats and two bears required urgent veterinary care. The month long assessment, the largest of its kind in Latin America, demanded meticulous coordination between multiple teams working across continents to stabilise the animals and plan long term solutions, highlighting how animal welfare truly knows no borders. “What we encountered during the emergency mission reminded us why diversity and inclusiveness in veterinary medicine matter,” Christine says. “Different experiences, cultures and skills make us stronger and help us respond better to animals in need.”

For Christine, being part of FOUR PAWS goes beyond professional achievement, it connects deeply with why she chose to become a veterinarian in the first place. “I wanted to make a difference where it really matters,” she reflects. “FOUR PAWS gives us the tools, the trust and the ethical framework to put animal welfare first, always. Knowing that every decision is guided by compassion is incredibly powerful.”

That sense of purpose resonates throughout LIONSROCK, where veterinary care is not measured only by medical outcomes, but by quality of life. “As a vet, you don’t just treat animals,” Christine says. “You advocate for them. And when you’re supported by an organisation like FOUR PAWS, you can do that properly.”

On this World Veterinary Day, FOUR PAWS honours not only veterinarians, but the entire teams who work quietly behind the scenes to ensure rescued animals live with dignity and care. “At LIONSROCK, veterinary medicine is never a solo act,” Christine adds. “It’s teamwork – and the big cats are the real winners.”

For more information, please visit our website at lionsrock.org

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Author: Deidre Daniels from FOUR PAWS on behalf of FOUR PAWS.

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