Last rescued Romanian lions die at wildlife park

Sisters Carla and Crystal, both aged 18, have never been apart

Two lionesses who were brought to a South Yorkshire wildlife park in 2010 after being rescued from Romania have died.

Sisters Carla and Crystal, both aged 18, never spent a day apart and were put down together "with dignity and peace" surrounded by their devoted rangers, Yorkshire Wildlife Park said.

Carla's condition had not improved after a recent fall and Crystal, who had been struggling with age-related illness, "would not have coped without her sister by her side", the park said.

They were the last of 13 lions, aged between one and 27 at the time, who were rescued from cramped concrete enclosures at Oradea Zoo and brought to Doncaster.

'Kindest decision'

"Animal welfare is at the heart of everything we do," the park said in a statement.

"After extensive consultation with our veterinary and animal care teams, the kindest decision was made to let them go together."

Staff said the pair were "very much loved by all" and would be "deeply missed".

The pride was flown to the former Doncaster Sheffield Airport in a specially modified Boeing 737 following a fundraising appeal for £150,000.

The lions were due to be put down if a new home could not be found for them, as the zoo could no longer afford to keep them.

At the Romanian zoo, four adult lions had been kept in a 4m x 4m (13ft x 13ft) cage.

Fifteen years ago, director Daiana Ghender - who initiated efforts to have them rescued - said she was "emotional" to see their first steps on natural ground after they had lived their whole lives on concrete.

Two male lions from the pride, Simba and Ares, died in 2023, aged 14 and 15, and 16-year-old lioness Julie died the following year.

Listen to highlights from South Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North