A lion lost its roar after being kept alone in a tiny cage at an abandoned zoo for five years. The zoo on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border was owned by a Russian oligarch. Now an animal charity is working to reunite him with his own kind.
'World's Loneliest Lion' Loses Its Roar After Being Left Alone In An Abandoned Zoo For 5 Years
By
Zainab Pervez in
Heartbreaking
On 27th January 2023
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For five years, Ruben the lion's roars went unanswered as the last animal in an abandoned zoo. The15-year-old fell silent because of solitary confinement in a tiny cage. But now he has taken his first steps towards a new and healthier life.
Ruben was the last animal left at zoo on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border that closed down when its Russian oligarch owner died. The lion had been kept in isolation in a small cage for the last five years. It has been so long since he has had the company of other lions he has almost forgotten how to roar, just letting out an occasional mournful cry.
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All the other animals were rescued by a wildlife sanctuary.
'Sadly, there was no room for Ruben', said Jan Creamer, of Animal Defenders International.
'Lions live in family groups and roaring is chatting to them. He is still trying to roar. Ruben has never felt the sun on his back or the wind in his face.'
Neglect has left him in poor condition with matted hair, damaged teeth and a suspected neurological condition. He will soon find a home at a sanctuary in South Africa where, his rescuers hope, he will roar again.
Jan said: “It is vital we get Ruben to South Africa as soon as possible to address his more serious issues.
“Ruben has neurological problems, potentially spinal. He wobbles as he walks and sometimes his legs fold under him, but he can move around.
“He has miosis of the eye – supporters will have noticed his small, constricted pupils. He appears able to see things, reacts to people around him, even some distance away, and good hearing, so there is good news, too.
“Ruben will not have access to the technology to properly identify these issues (CT, MRI scans, specialist ophthalmologists) until we get to South Africa. So, we are pressing ahead with the export and import protocols required, as quickly as possible."
The former oligarch's family was keen for Ruben to have a better life and agreed to the move, which had to go through multiple armed check-points. The rescue operation had to be secretly planned and strategically timed to avoid inflaming tensions in the region because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
Ruben was sedated and under the care of a vet for the nine-hour journey to a converted bear sanctuary near Armenia's capital, Yerevan.
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'This is more space than he has ever known but the real transformation will be in Africa where he will eventually have access to 2.5 acres of natural habitat,' Ms Creamer said.
'Ruben is now engaging and interacting with people which is wonderful to see. His calls went unanswered for five years but we are confident that he will roar again.'
Reuben is expected to make his epic journey to South Africa in March. He has already been microchipped and given the required vaccinations for international travel.
