Rescue centre for Ukrainian lions set to open

Amani and Lira are two of the big cats that are due to arrive in March

Five lions rescued from Ukraine are set to move into a new rescue centre in Kent.

The Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden has said everything is in place to open its new lion rescue centre in March, although an exact date has not been set.

The centre will house Yuna, who has been at the sanctuary since August, along with Rori, Vanda, Amani and Lira, who are currently in temporary care in Belgium.

Cam Whitnall, the sanctuary's project lead, said: "Our team have been counting down to this moment, and now our end goal and vision is finally within reach."

Three-year-old Yuna arrived in a traumatised condition last year

The sanctuary launched a fundraising campaign in May to help generate £500,000 to build the centre.

It said construction of the centre faced significant challenges during the winter months, with heavy downpours and muddy conditions.

Despite these obstacles, it said it was on track for completion in March.

When Yuna arrived in Kent last year, she was suffering from shell shock after debris from a missile attack landed 300m (984ft) from her small enclosure in Kyiv.

Traumatised and suffering from a loss of co-ordination, she initially stayed inside her enclosure for a week but has since settled well, the sanctuary said.

Rori, who is due to arrive in March, is currently being cared for in Belgium