Trafficked lions Yoda and Ysis arrive safely at SANWILD Game Reserve

Two lions, which were victims of trafficking, have safely arrived at their new home at the SANWILD Game Reserve in Gravelotte, Limpopo. Yoda and Ysis were taken from their natural habitat in 2020 and held captive in France.

The lions are now undergoing rehabilitation in a natural and safe environment.

After spending five years in captivity in France, the two lion siblings, Yoda and Ysis, have finally returned to their native homeland.

Yoda and Ysis were separated from their mother at a young age. They were exploited for entertainment purposes, featuring in music videos and circus performances in Europe.

Their plight for freedom gained international attention after being highlighted on social media, sparking outrage over animal cruelty.

International animal welfare organisations intervened to rescue the lion siblings. The genetic tests confirmed that the two cubs are siblings, emphasising their bond.

Manager of SANWILD Sanctuary, Didi Schoeman says the two lions were abducted to be used for social media purposes.

“They were used by a rapper, a French rapper in his music videos and social media posts and obviously had them illegally. Once the authorities started seeing these posts on social media they tried locating him and as soon as he found out police were on his tracks he abandoned the two lion cubs in a park in France where the authorities found them and handed them over to 30 million friends, French welfare organisation which handed them over to Tonga and last year they approached me and asked whether we will be able to house them at SANWILD Sanctuary.”

Animal Trafficking | Lions Yoda and Ysis find a new home in Gravelotte

Schoeman says for the first time in five years, lion siblings Yoda and Ysis get to experience the familiar terrain of the African savannah they once called home.

As they settle into their new sanctuary, the sound of their roaring echoes through the landscape, signalling their gradual adjustment to their new surroundings.

“The thing with wild lions is that’s where they belong it’s in the wild, where they can be free. When it comes to animals that have been human-imprinted and wild animals that have been raised by people, they are very cute when they are cubs but they eventually grow up and become adults and hormones kick in and they become unpredictable and dangerous.”

Schoeman further indicates that the successful rescue and rehabilitation of Yoda and Ysis, marks a significant milestone in the fight against lion exploitation.

According to SANWILD, this achievement sets the stage for future rescue efforts, aiming to free more lions from captivity. SANWILD emphasises the need for government intervention to address the ongoing threats faced by lions.

“These cubs are taken away from their mom when they are a few days old and they are bred for the lion bone trade which goes to China. So the government needs to step in and this trade needs to be stopped.”

After spending years in captivity, Yoda and Ysis are experiencing the joy of having a place to call “home”.