When Sara first arrived at her rescuers’ home in Beirut, she was in remarkably poor condition—sick, exhausted, and her small furry body was a canvas of ringworm infestations along with distressing signs of mistreatment.
After enduring two long months confined within the cramped quarters of a small apartment in Beirut, where she was sheltered by a dedicated animal rights group, the 4-and-a-half-month-old lion cub finally set off on her journey to a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa. This significant transition occurred on Friday, following an arduous trip that involved traveling by yacht and planes, enabling her to escape both the perilous Israeli airstrikes and the cruel hands of her previous owners.
Sara marks the fifth lion cub evacuated from Lebanon by the non-profit rescue group Animals Lebanon, an effort that intensified following the outbreak of hostilities between Hezbollah and Israel, which escalated just one day after Hamas’s unexpected and deadly attack on southern Israel on October 7.
Animals Lebanon stumbled upon Sara’s plight through social media platforms back in July, where her owner—a Lebanese man hailing from the ancient city of Baalbek—boasted about his lion cub by posting extravagant videos showcasing their life together on TikTok and Instagram.
It is crucial to note that under Lebanese law, ownership of wild and exotic animals is strictly prohibited, highlighting how these creatures are often kept for display rather than as companions.
The lion cub was “really just being used as a status symbol,” remarked Jason Mier, the executive director of Animals Lebanon, emphasizing the exploitation she endured.
In mid-September, after filing a formal complaint with the police and judiciary regarding her condition, the rescue group finally managed to retrieve her following an investigation that interrogated her owner under legal pressure to relinquish the cub.
Soon afterward, the tensions heightened significantly as Israel initiated a major offensive against Hezbollah, prompting heavy bombings in Baalbek. Mier and his dedicated team succeeded in extracting Sara from the besieged city just weeks prior to the commencement of Israel’s bombardment campaign, relocating her to a safer apartment situated in Beirut’s bustling Hamra district.
The plan was for her to fly to South Africa in October, but international airlines swiftly halted operations to Lebanon, leaving Sara in limbo as Israeli jets and drones relentlessly targeted areas in close proximity to the country’s sole international airport.
In a show of defiance and solidarity, Hezbollah began launching rockets across the border into Israel on October 8, 2023, just one day after the shocking incursion by Palestinian militants sparked chaos in southern Israel. Israel retaliated swiftly, leading to an escalation of violence marked by shelling and airstrikes. Subsequently, Israel’s intense aerial bombardment of Lebanon commenced, culminating in a ground invasion.
Rescue saves trapped pets
Before the outbreak of conflict, Animals Lebanon focused on combatting illegal animal trafficking and the exotic pet trade, successfully rescuing over two dozen big cats from captivity and relocating them to appropriate wildlife sanctuaries.
Since the war erupted, Animals Lebanon has expanded its efforts to include rescuing pets stranded amidst the destruction, with hundreds of thousands of Lebanese fleeing from bombardment—almost 1,000 rescues in the past month alone.
“Numerous animals remain in our care because their owners are still displaced and unable to return,” Mier explained. “We cannot expect individuals living in precarious situations to reclaim their pets when they might be residing on the streets or in schools.”
Prior to the escalation of conflict, the rights organization was able to operate throughout the country with relative freedom; however, conditions worsened as the frequency and intensity of airstrikes began to expand across wider areas.
Sara the lion cub, oblivious to the surrounding turmoil, flourished in her temporary home. She was provided a nourishing diet consisting of a daily platter of raw meat and eventually grew to a healthy 40 kilograms (88 pounds). Each morning, she found warmth and companionship cuddling with Mier’s wife, Maggie, an ardent animal rights activist.
Nonetheless, the activists confronted a daunting challenge: securing a safe route for her exit from Lebanon.
Donations fund her journey
Leveraging the support of animal rights advocates and generous donors from across the globe, Animals Lebanon managed to raise sufficient funds to facilitate Sara’s escape via a small yacht destined for Cyprus. From Cyprus, she then embarked on a flight to the United Arab Emirates before finally arriving in Cape Town, where she would find her new home.
Days prior to her much-anticipated evacuation, Sara was seen joyfully playing in her caretaker’s apartment, surrounded by cushions and chew toys, as her caregivers prepared for her departure.
On Thursday at dawn, she reached the port of Dbayeh, located just north of Beirut. Mier and his team were filled with relief at her successful evacuation but struggled to hold back tears as they bid farewell to the beloved cub.
Mier anticipates that once she arrives at the sanctuary, Sara will undergo health monitoring and disease control procedures before eventually being integrated with two other lions recently brought from Lebanon, creating a supportive community for her to thrive in.
“This will provide her with a strong social group, and we hope that this integration will help her adapt well to her new life. Ultimately, this represents the best possible outcome for her future,” he concluded.
How does Sara’s story illustrate the broader issues of animal welfare during crises?
**Interview with Jason Mier, Executive Director of Animals Lebanon**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us today, Jason. Sara’s story is both heartbreaking and heartwarming. Can you tell us about the moment you first encountered her situation?
**Jason Mier:** Thank you for having me. When we first learned about Sara in July, the images and videos of her posted by her owner on social media took our breath away. To see a lion cub being showcased as a status symbol, while suffering such distress, was disturbing. Once we became aware of her dire living conditions, we knew we had to act.
**Interviewer:** It must have been quite the challenge to rescue her, especially given the escalating conflict in Lebanon. Can you walk us through that process?
**Jason Mier:** Absolutely. After we filed a formal complaint, it took several weeks of pressure on both the police and judiciary to convince her owner to surrender Sara. Just as we managed to secure her release, tensions escalated dramatically in Baalbek, where she was located. We had to act very quickly to relocate her to safety amidst the chaos of bombings and airstrikes.
**Interviewer:** What were the conditions like for Sara during her time in that cramped apartment?
**Jason Mier:** She was in quite poor shape. The two months of confinement had taken a toll on her health, physically and mentally. We found her suffering from ringworm infestations and signs of mistreatment; it was heartbreaking to see. Our focus immediately turned to her recovery when we brought her to our safer location in Beirut.
**Interviewer:** After her rescue, what were the next steps for Sara and how did you manage the logistics of her journey to South Africa?
**Jason Mier:** The plan was always to move her to a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa. However, with the international airlines suspending operations to Lebanon due to ongoing hostilities, we had to think outside the box. We arranged for her to travel by yacht and then by plane to ensure her safe relocation. It was quite a challenging endeavor, but we knew we had to give her a better life.
**Interviewer:** Can you give us an overview of Animals Lebanon’s initiatives during this ongoing conflict?
**Jason Mier:** Certainly. While our focus has traditionally been on combating illegal wildlife trafficking and rescuing exotic pets, since the violence erupted, we’ve expanded our mission significantly. We’ve undertaken nearly 1,000 rescues in just the last month, providing care for countless pets that have been left stranded as their owners flee the bombings. Families are displaced, and many pets are still without their owners due to the precarious living conditions.
**Interviewer:** What message do you hope to convey through Sara’s journey and Animals Lebanon’s ongoing efforts?
**Jason Mier:** The plight of animals, particularly during crises, often goes unnoticed. Sara’s story highlights the need for awareness regarding the mistreatment of exotic animals and the importance of caring for all creatures, especially during tough times. We also want to emphasize that animals are not status symbols; they are living beings that deserve compassion and respect. It’s imperative that people understand the laws governing wildlife ownership and the responsibilities that come with caring for such animals.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Jason, for sharing Sara’s story and the vital work of Animals Lebanon. We hope for continued success in rescuing and protecting these animals in need.
**Jason Mier:** Thank you for shining a light on these issues. Your support and that of the public are essential for our mission.
