Late on Wednesday night, Luna and Plusza, two four-year-old lionesses rescued from conflict zones in Ukraine, safely arrived at their new home at Five Sisters Zoo.
For nearly a decade, Five Sisters Zoo has led lion rescue efforts in Scotland, providing sanctuary and care for lions who have endured immense hardship. The arrival of Luna and Plusza marks a significant new chapter in the zoo’s proud history of animal welfare and rehabilitation.
The lionesses were initially evacuated from an area affected by heavy shelling in Eastern Ukraine in 2022, moving through Kyiv, Poland, and Belgium before reaching the safety of Five Sisters Zoo. Their new purpose-built habitat offers the space and peace they need to recover and thrive after their challenging journey.
Gary Curran, Head of Carnivores at Five Sisters Zoo, said: “The safe arrival of Luna and Plusza underscores our commitment to giving lions a second chance at life.
“Our team is ready to provide the care and support they need to live out their lives in peace, just as we have done for others before them.“
This rescue continues the legacy started in October 2015, when the zoo welcomed four lions from a life of suffering in a traveling circus. Of the original pride, only Skinny remains today, as the zoo honours the memory of Boss, Twin 1, and Twin 2, while forging ahead with new rescue efforts.
Five Sisters Zoo remains committed to animal welfare, collaborating with international rescue organisations to offer sanctuary to animals in need. The public is invited to visit the zoo and learn more about its conservation initiatives.
For updates on Luna and Plusza and information on how to support Five Sisters Zoo’s rescue efforts, visit www.fivesisterszoo.co.uk.
Luna and Plusza Find Refuge at Five Sisters Zoo After Being Rescued from Conflict Zones in Ukraine
For nearly a decade, Five Sisters Zoo has been at the forefront of lion rescue in Scotland, providing sanctuary and care for lions who have faced immense hardship.
This journey began in October 2015, when Five Sisters Zoo welcomed four lions—Boss, Skinny, Twin 1, and Twin 2—from Belgium, where they had been rescued from a life of suffering in a traveling circus. These resilient animals found peace in a purpose-built habitat, free from their traumatic pasts.
As Five Sisters Zoo marks nine years since the rescue, only Skinny remains of the original pride, following the passing of Boss and the two brothers, Twin 1 and Twin 2. Their rescue stands as a proud milestone for the zoo, which has continued to dedicate resources to the welfare and rehabilitation of animals in need.
In a significant next chapter, Five Sisters Zoo is pleased to announce the upcoming arrival of two four-year-old lionesses, Luna and Plusza, who were rescued from Ukraine. After enduring the distress of conflict and displacement, these lionesses are being given a new home at Five Sisters Zoo.
Luna and Plusza were initially evacuated from an area affected by heavy shelling in Eastern Ukraine in 2022. They were first sheltered in Kyiv before moving to Poland and later to Natuurhulpcentrum in Belgium, where Five Sisters Zoo has partnered once again to offer the lionesses a permanent sanctuary in Scotland.
“The arrival of Luna and Plusza is a continuation of our long-standing commitment to giving lions a second chance at life,” said Gary Curran, Head of Carnivores at Five Sisters Zoo.
“Our team is prepared to provide these lionesses with the best care possible, ensuring that they are able to live out their lives in peace, just as we did for Boss, Skinny, and the others.”
The lionesses’ new home at Five Sisters Zoo will feature a specially designed habitat, providing ample space and comfort after their challenging journey across multiple countries.
Five Sisters Zoo remains dedicated to animal welfare and looks forward to giving the public the opportunity to learn about the importance of its rescue and conservation efforts.
Luna and Plusza’s arrival continues Five Sisters Zoo’s proud tradition of collaborating with international rescue organisations to ensure animals in need are given a safe and nurturing home.
For updates on Luna and Plusza’s journey, and for more information on how to support Five Sisters Zoo’s animal welfare initiatives please visit www.fivesisterszoo.co.uk.
A short film has been released by Beaver Trust and Five Sisters Zoo telling the behind-the-scenes story of a beaver kit’s birth at the Zoo and successful release at National Trust’s Wallington Estate, highlighting the work of those involved who went above and beyond to make it happen.
In July this year a family of four Eurasian beavers were successfully released on the National Trust’sWallington Estate in Northumberland as part of plans to boost wildlife and increase the landscape’s resilience to a changing climate.
It was reported that two adult beavers and two young had been successfully relocated from wild populations in the River Tay catchment in Scotland to their new home in a 24-hectare fenced enclosure on a tributary of the River Wansbeck. The adult female was, in fact, found to be pregnant when she was trapped in Scotland and taken into Beaver Trust’s holding facilities at Five Sisters Zoo.
What followed was a series of careful health checks, sensitive care, and detailed monitoring to ensure the female and her family were calm and comfortable to give the unborn beaver kit the best chance.
The team worked to create a bespoke habitat at Five Sisters Zoo, where the beaver family would have plenty of space and enrichment while awaiting the birth of the kit.
Dr Roisin Campbell-Palmer, Head of Restoration at Beaver Trust, said: “The fact that we have a healthy young kit that has been born and raised by its family relatively normally, and is now acting naturally in its new home, is a testament to everyone involved at Beaver Trust and Five Sisters Zoo prioritising the family’s welfare and working extremely hard to keep the whole process, from trapping and transport to monitoring, to the care in captivity, sufficiently low stress.
“I’m really proud to have been a part of it.”
Gary Curran, Head Carnivore Keeper at Five Sisters Zoo, said:“We were delighted to experience this first in our zoo’s history, and to be part of this incredible journey for these beavers.
“We have taken what was a more unusual, very hands-off approach than we usually would to ensure the female and her unborn kit had the best possible chance of survival and were delighted when the kit was safely born in our enclosure.”
Dr Romain Pizzi, Independent Specialist Wildlife Veterinarian, said:“We knew as soon as we discovered that the female was expecting this would be a different challenge than we initially expected but it couldn’t have gone better.
“Ensuring the health of the whole family, including the newborn kit was crucial and we look forward to seeing them thrive now in their new surroundings”
With the kit looking strong and healthy, the family were transported down to Northumberland where they were released on July 12th. Footage from the estate shows that the beavers are settling in well and already beginning to transform their surroundings as hoped.
Paul Hewitt, Countryside Manager at the National Trust, said:“We’re incredibly grateful to the teams at the Beaver Trust and Five Sisters Zoo who took such great care of the whole beaver family while we waited for their release here at Wallington.
“The news that the kit was born safe and well was wonderful and made the anticipation of release day even more special. They’ve been here for 4 months now and are all happy and healthy, having settled in brilliantly.
“They’re already making changes to the landscape and we’re really looking forward to seeing what they do over the coming months and years.”
The Wallington Estate was the location for the conservation charity’s third beaver release, following successful introductions on Exmoor in 2020 and the South Downs in 2021. The release was the first to take place in Northumberland, with the animals becoming one of the very few beaver populations in northern England.
The beavers form part of a bigger project called Wilder Wallington that is designed to improve prospects for nature across the 5,300-hectare estate and beyond.
Other plans include encouraging the migration of pine martens, restoring hedgerows and areas of peatland, planting trees, tackling invasive non-native species, supporting farmers to incorporate nature into their business plans and alleviating flooding. The reintroduction of beavers at Wallington was generously funded by the Reece Foundation.
Five Sisters Zoo – a beloved animal conservation in West Lothian – is excited to announce a special event that will bring hope and support to a bear in need.
Coinciding with the school holidays, the zoo will host a 5km fun run this Saturday (21st October) within its scenic grounds. All money raised on the day through sales and sponsorships will help fund the imminent rescue of Yampil – a bear being saved from war-torn Ukraine.
Currently, the fundraising progress stands at approximately £30,000 of the targeted £200,000 needed for Yampil’s new home, enclosure, care, and upkeep. The zoo has been actively engaged in various fundraising initiatives to bridge the gap and facilitate the bear’s safe transition.
Gary Curran, Assistant Manager and Head of Carnivores at Five Sisters Zoo, said: “This is not just a run, it’s a race against time to give Yampil a new lease on life. When we were made aware of the awful treatment and conditions Yampil was subjected to, our hearts broke; we were just so amazed he was still alive and well.
“We knew instantly that we had to help and committed to giving Yampil a new start in life – despite knowing how much of an investment it would cost the zoo – because that’s what he deserves.
“We invite everyone to join us for a memorable morning of camaraderie, where you can choose to walk or run at your own pace. Or should anyone be in a position to help, we would really welcome their support and generous donations.
“Together, we can make a meaningful impact and offer a brighter future for this courageous creature.”
The event is open to participants of all ages and will commence at 8:30 am. Attendees are kindly requested to arrive around 8 am. For the safety of young participants, children under 16 must be accompanied by an adult.
In addition to supporting this cause, all participants will receive complimentary entry to the zoo for the remainder of the day, providing a unique opportunity to connect with a diverse array of wildlife.
To register for the run and obtain a sponsor form or for further information, please contact education@fivesisterszoo.co.uk. A minimum sponsorship of £20 per participant is encouraged, with all proceeds directly contributing to Yampil’s rescue and new enclosure at Five Sisters Zoo.
Yampil is set to arrive in Scotland in late 2023 or early 2024.
To join Five Sisters Zoo in this extraordinary endeavour to bring Yampil the bear home to Scotland, please sign up here:
FIVE SISTERS ZOO CELEBRATES THE FELINE MAKING A FULL RECOVERY AFTER ADOPTING THE UNWANTED INJURED CHEETAH
West-Lothian-based Five Sisters Zoo, has announced that Ashanti the three-legged-cheetah has made a full recovery after her life-changing amputation surgery.
As the fastest land animal on earth, the cheetah reaches speeds of more than 100 kmph. So, when the crippling and complicated ankle break rendered four-year-old Ashanti lame, it was devastating for the beautiful big cat and her keepers.
When Ashanti’s previous zoo found itself having to close, it struggled to find another zoo to take her on as a result of her complicated leg fracture and its failure to heal despite surgery by the zoo’s vet. Despite this and knowing she would need significant care and treatment, the family-owned Five Sisters Zoo – renowned for its work and care for endangered animals – welcomed Ashanti into their care in March 2022.
Despite a further two surgeries to try return her leg to normal function, the specialist vet team reluctantly had to make the difficult decision to amputate her right hind leg. Now, six months on, the extraordinary cheetah has fully recovered and is now bounding around her habitat at the West Calder Zoo.
Brian Curran, owner of Five Sisters Zoo, said:“It was an incredibly difficult decision; it gave us all sleepless nights.
“When she first arrived at Five Sisters Zoo, Ashanti would cope with running around with the other cheetahs and didn’t appear to let the old injury slow her down too much. However, after lots of playing and running in their new large enclosure, Ashanti would periodically become quite lame and tired and would need a course of pain relief medication.
“Despite two further specialist surgical operations at the zoo to try to improve matters, we knew this wasn’t going to be sustainable or fair long-term, so our specialist veterinary team made the difficult decision to amputate her leg.
“After a successful operation and within just a few weeks of the surgery, Ashanti was clearly happier and much more contented which made us feel like we made the correct decision.”
Romain Pizzi FRCVS, Head of Veterinary Services for Five Sisters and President of the British Veterinary Association’s Scottish branch, said: “Ashanti’s injury was a complicated one, with a difficult break in her right hind ankle that had not healed when she arrived at the zoo.
“Despite our performing a further two operations at Five Sisters Zoo to try and return her leg back to a more normal function, she was not coping well, and was prone to injuring the leg easily. After much deliberation, we decided to amputate her leg and are so pleased with her recovery.
“Ashanti actually translates to ‘gratitude’, and while she might run away when she sees me now as I’m the one who operated on her, I hope she is, in fact, grateful and happy to be back on her (three healthy) feet!
“We can’t wait to see Ashanti continue to thrive and put a smile on everyone’s face for many more years to come at Five Sisters Zoo.”
Ashanti’s carers welcome guests and visitors to Five Sisters Zoo to view her full recovery for themselves.
West Lothian’s Five Sisters Zoo will shimmer and sparkle once more when its ever-popular illuminations bring some Christmas magic to this year’s festive season.
The attraction, at Gavieside, West Calder, will light up from November 17 right through to December 23, offering a spectacular yuletide experience for all the family.
Thousands of lights and Christmas decorations will glitter around the grounds. There will also be a light show projection, a tunnel of light, a festive market with crafts and gifts, food and drink stalls selling a range of goodies including crepes and doughnuts, plus marshmallow toasting.
Youngsters will also get the chance to enjoy a spin on the children’s rides while grown-ups will appreciate the heated bar area serving mulled wine and cider and much more. And, of course, there’s the chance to see all the animals in the zoo’s collection.
For visitors with Additional Support Needs there will be a dedicated evening to suit their requirements on Sunday, November 26.
The illuminations are open from 5-9pm every Friday and Saturday from November 17 to 25 and from 4-9pm every evening throughout December, up until the 23rd.
Tickets are on sale now with free admittance for babies under a year old.
“This is always a magical time for us at the zoo and we’re thrilled to be staging our fantastic illuminations once again,” says co-owner Brian Curran.
“Children just love Christmas and animals so it’s always such a winning combination and we’re anticipating another busy festive season.”
A group of seven deaf young activists visited Five Sisters Zoo on Sunday, 19 June, to inspect the new deaf-friendly information displays they helped to inspire.
The group, who hail from all over Scotland, are members of the National Deaf Children’s Society’s Changemaker programme, which supports and mentors young deaf people to make improvements in their local communities.
The Changemakers have been working with the zoo since 2019 on enabling deaf visitors to learn more about the animals by adding videos with subtitles and British Sign Language translation, accessible via a QR code, to the information displays.
The culmination of their visit was a tour of the zoo, led by the Head of Education Adam Welsh, to see the new displays in action.
Before the tour, the group discussed the issues they would like to persuade political parties to take on board, concluding that improvements to the support deaf children receive in school was the priority.
They also attended workshops in which they discussed possible areas for future campaigning and talked about how to reach politicians.
Five Sisters Zoo is now working closely with the charity to create a more formal partnership, which could result in accessible opportunities for deaf young people and deaf awareness training for their staff.
Changemaker Kara Gillespie, 16, from Motherwell, said:“It was great being back at the zoo to see the changes they had made to help the deaf community. I felt proud to have been part of the group that had helped make it happen.
“I hope deaf visitors will find it more inclusive and maybe enjoy the experience better. I intend to keep campaigning for deaf awareness in the future.”
Adam Welsh, Head of Education at Five Sisters Zoo, said:“I was thrilled to go out on a tour of the zoo with everyone who attended, and it really was brilliant spending time with such an enthusiastic group of young people.
“I really hope that the feedback provided by the Changemakers will help us with our commitments to make Five Sisters Zoo accessible for as many visitors as possible and move forward with more of these in the future.”
Rachael MacLeod, Participation Officer at the National Deaf Children’s Society, Scotland, said:“We formed the Changemakers so that deaf children and young people could drive positive change in their communities, and it’s wonderful to see all their hard work come to fruition.
“The staff of the Zoo were really open to the group’s suggestions and really bought into the idea of making their information accessible for their deaf visitors.
“Some of the Changemakers have other disabilities and the group is now discussing how it can widen its campaign and make public places as accessible as possible for all disabled people.”
