Yorkshire Wildlife Park to rehome lioness and her cubs from Ukraine

It is hoped Teddi, Emi and Santa can move to the UK along with their mother, Aysa

Yorkshire Wildlife Park is set to become the new home for four lions abandoned in Ukraine.

A lioness, called Aysa, was pregnant and living at a private zoo in the Donetsk region of Ukraine at the start of Russia's invasion of the country last year.

She gave birth to three cubs, called Teddi, Emi and Santa, at a sanctuary in Kyiv before being moved to Poznan Zoo in Poland.

Their stay in Poland is only a temporary arrangement though, and keepers at Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster are working to get permission to move the lions to the UK in the coming months.

Aysa was pregnant when she was rescued from a private Ukrainian zoo

Deputy section head of carnivores at Yorkshire Wildlife Park, Colin Northcott, has been visiting the lions to get to know them ahead of their big move.

He said: "They were extremely nervous and tried to get as far away as possible from me. This was completely understandable considering what they have been through.

"After spending some time with the lions, they have become more comfortable with me, and I hope to continue this progress in Yorkshire.

"We can't wait to rescue them and offer them a fresh beginning within the park."

The park said it wanted to be able to make a difference to the lions' lives

The park has successfully rehomed lions from other countries before. Back in 2010, 13 lions were rehomed from a Romanian zoo where they were living in poor conditions.

The park said they were now living happy and healthy lives in their reserve in Doncaster, and it's hoped the four new lions set to join them will settle in quickly too.

There's no date yet for the lions to arrive, but it's hoped they'll be in their new home by Christmas.