Lions saved from war zone start their new life in Scotland

The rescue mission to get Luna and Plusza all the way from Ukraine to Scotland has been a roaring success!

Two lionesses who were saved from a war zone in Ukraine have arrived at their new home in Scotland.

Luna and Plusza are believed to be sisters and are four years old.

They were rescued from a private owner and are now settling in at the Five Sisters Zoo in West Lothian.

They got there on Wednesday night and keepers say the majestic duo have been given "a second chance at life."

They'll now be given lots of meaty treats to help them settle in to their new surroundings.

They've now found their fur-ever home!

How did the lionesses get to Scotland?

It's been a long journey for Luna and Plusza.

They were rescued from an area affected by fighting in eastern Ukraine in 2022.

The lionesses were moved through Ukraine's capital Kyiv before arriving in Poland.

They were then looked after in Belgium before travelling in a big lorry to their forever home in Scotland.

The pair now have some time to recover from their travels in their new enclosure, which keepers say offers space and peace for them after a challenging journey to safety.

Keepers travelled to meet the lionesses around six weeks before they arrived in Scotland

How are Luna and Plusza settling in?

Adam Welsh from Five Sisters Zoo says he's "delighted" Luna and Plusza are now there safe and sound.

They were visited in Belgium by keepers around six weeks ago and were described as being "very bold".

Talking about their arrival, Adam said: "It's a little bit like Jurassic Park, they're brought into the enclosure and let into their indoor dens first."

The lionesses were kept in a holding pen to begin with, so they didn't get too overwhelmed. There was food scattered around to help them build trust with the keepers and adjust.

Adam says it can take a few days for the pair to become more confident and for their cheeky sides to come out.