In the outskirts of Buenos Aires, Argentina, dozens of lions, tigers and bears that miraculously survived the neglect and drugging at the now shuttered Lujan Zoo years ago, are finally being rescued by the global animal welfare organization, Four Paws.
A recent agreement between Argentina authorities and Four Paws have made the transfer and release of the zoo animals possible.
For five years, the animals have been kept in their cages supported by a few loyal zookeepers, who despite having lost their jobs when the zoo closed, continued to care for the stranded lions and tigers. Tragically, most of the animals have died.
In 2023, Four Paws counted 112 lions and tigers after the original count of 200 big cats living at the zoo. More than half had died from complications of illness because of poor nutrition, fighting and the lack of medical care. A rescue counted seven female tigers crammed together in one 11-foot cage.
The zoo became famous for allowing visitors to handle and interact with the big cats who had been heavily sedated as visitors climbed on them and used the animals for photos to show to their friends and families.
This week, together with the Chief Program Officer, Luciana D’Abramo, the on-site team’s first task at the former zoo Luján was to map all enclosures and classify the animals according to their level of need. Rescuers reported how overwhelming it was to see so many animals in urgent need of veterinarian care.
There are 62 big cats and two brown bears that have been pacing back and forth; they are being evaluated before being transferred to wildlife sanctuaries for treatment – both physical and emotional.
The team has worked tirelessly to adapt the existing enclosures to improve husbandry management, provide more space and enhance animal safety. Transport crates have also been built, allowing the team to transfer animals to other enclosures on the premises without having to sedate them.
The goal is to get everything ready for the veterinary assessment, during which many of these animals will receive a proper medical examination for the very first time in their lives.
Lioness Lucy will be one of the first animals to be examined, together with tigress Flora, who suffers from severely ingrown nails causing her intense pain and difficulty moving properly, as well as the two bears, Gordo and Florencia.
According to the organization’s press release, the health and welfare of the animals is the top priority:
We have serious concerns over the animals’ safety, health, and well-being. Some require critical attention. It is vital that we check the health status of each animal to ensure their immediate needs are addressed. To do this, every lion, tiger and bear must be sedated and moved to a temporary veterinary field unit on-site. There, two veterinary teams carry out examinations and perform emergency surgeries if needed. Our work will not end with the veterinary assessment. We are already planning next steps to ensure the animals have a better chance in life,” explains veterinarian Dr Amir Khalil, who leads the FOUR PAWS emergency mission in Argentina.
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