Restoring Pride

Keepers determined to reunite lioness with her cubs after months living apart

-  LUCY THORNTON

LIONESS Aysa is already settling into her new life in the UK after she was rescued from war-ravaged Ukraine.

Just days after arriving at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park, nervous and disorientated, the four-yearold has amazed keepers.

Her three cubs have been brought to the Park separately. and keepers aim to reunite them when the animals have become used to their new home.

Colin Northcott, 59, interim head of carnivores at the park in Doncaster, told the Mirror: "The difference in Aysa is incredible, she's so confident and calm.

"She's talking all the time. She's so inquisitive. She's going to love it out in the enclosure.

"As I talk to you, she's just seen birds flying across for the first time in nine months and it's amazing. So wonderful to see her watching the birds.

"All the smells, she's sniffing the air now. She's listening to me talk as well." As the Mirror told yesterday, Aysa and her cubs were rescued from Donetsk after Russia invaded Ukraine. They spent nine months in adjoining 15ft by 15ft enclosures at Poznan Zoo in Poland.

The zoo, home to some 200 animals from Ukraine, was pushed for space and arrangements were made for Aysa and 17-month-old Emi, Santa and Teddi to find a permanent home in England.

She and her cubs, not yet fully weaned, were separated after stressed Aysa turned on them when they leapt on her after they arrived from Poland. The aim is now to reunite them as a family.

Colin said: "Their whole world has changed entirely. So for the first few days we want them to get used to the new sights and sounds.