30 Lions and Tigers Begin Leaving Argentine Zoo for Sanctuaries

Thirty lions and tigers have begun leaving the shuttered Luján Zoo in Argentina for specialized sanctuaries in South Africa and the United States, ending years in cramped concrete cages for this group.

The operation splits the animals evenly between two destinations. Nine tigers and six lions are bound for Lionsrock, a South African sanctuary with natural enclosures spread across 60 hectares. Eight tigers and seven lions will go to a Colorado refuge where rescued animals live in expansive habitats. The complex routes involve multiple flights and, for the South Africa-bound group, a four-hour drive.

Handlers prepared many cats to enter large transport crates voluntarily. Some required brief sedation after veterinary assessments, with animal-welfare teams and government bodies coordinating the move.

Argentine authorities closed the zoo in 2020 following safety and welfare concerns. After Four Paws took responsibility, it improved diets and medical care and retrained longtime staff. Animals at the site have suffered conditions including obesity, muscle loss, poor nutrition, dental and kidney disease, and lasting injuries. More than 20 big cats remain while long-term homes are sought.