A pair of captive-bred white lioness sisters will spend their final years in a Kent sanctuary after being shipped 60 miles from a zoo.
Zuri and Izulu have become the newest members of The Big Cat Sanctuary following their arrival at the park in Smarden, near Ashford.
It has welcomed the duo from its sister park Hertfordshire Zoo in Broxbourne.
Both were kept at the site formerly known as Paradise Wildlife Park since Izulu was born in April 2009 and Zuri followed in January 2013.
A lioness’ average life expectancy in the wild is about 15, whereas they have been known to live into their late teens in captivity.
Now, the Sanctuary, home to 40 cats including tigers, cheetahs and snow leopards, says the pair’s new chapter will allow them to enjoy their twilight years.
A spokesperson said: “These stunning sisters, known for their bold personalities, have retired to the Sanctuary to enjoy a peaceful and enriching new chapter of their lives.
“Izulu, known for her calm and composed demeanour, contrasts with Zuri, affectionately nicknamed ‘The Troublemaker’ for her playful antics from chasing pigeons to dismantling plants.
“Their enclosure is adjacent to the sanctuary’s resident male African lion, Kasanga.
“As social animals, lions thrive in companionship and the sanctuary plans to introduce the trio gradually, creating a harmonious pride where they can live out their golden years together.”
Zuri and Izulu arrived at the park at 3pm on Monday having embarked on 64-mile journey two hours prior.
After a night of acclimatising in their den, the lionesses were released into their new habitat yesterday.
Both are said to have begun exploring immediately, with Zuri confidently taking the lead by climbing onto her platform to enjoy her new surroundings.
Their white appearance is caused by a genetic mutation known as leucism, rather than them being a separate subspecies.
Females can weigh up to 300 pounds and be between seven and 10 feet long.
However, current population numbers of white lions are estimated to be less than 24,000 – down from as many as 200,000 in 1900.
The park’s announcement comes less than one month after it celebrated raising £500,000 as part of its ‘Big Cats in Crisis’ campaign.
The initiative began in May with the aim of creating a brighter future for lions which have endured unimaginable hardship in Ukraine due to the country’s war with Russia.
Having seen the arrival of African lioness, Yuna, in August, she is one of five lions who will now arrive at the centre as part of the scheme.
The sum will allow it to cover transportation costs, veterinary care, and finish construction of the state-of-the-art enclosure called the ‘Lion Rescue Centre’.
It means Yuna will be joined by Rori, Vanda, Amani, and Lira who are all at holding facilities in Belgium while they wait to make the journey to Kent.
Work on the enclosure is due to be completed in the coming weeks.
