Summary
- Vasylyna and Nikola have found a new home in South Africa at LIONSROCK Sanctuary after flying from the Netherlands.
- Both lions had troubling pasts before being rescued and transported to FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands.
- Air France-KLM Martinair Cargo also transported koalas to the Netherlands, marking a historic moment for the country.
Two lions, Vasylyna and Nikola, have found a new home in South Africa after being transported on a special Martinair flight from the Netherlands. The animals arrived in South Africa on April 26 onboard a Boeing 747 Freighter. They will join other big cats at a large sanctuary in the Free State province. The cargo carrier also transported two koalas to the Netherlands a week earlier.
A new home in South Africa
The journey to South Africa marked a new chapter in the lives of Vasylyna and Nikola. They were transported from FELIDA, the specialized sanctuary for big cats in Friesland, the Netherlands, to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in Bethlehem, South Africa. With an expansive area of 4.8 sq mi (1250 hectares), LIONSROCK is home to over 100 big cats, including lions, leopards, and tigers rescued from around the world.
Photo: JetKat | Shutterstock
Both sanctuaries are run by the animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS. The lions boarded Martinair Cargo Flight MP8341 from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport (AMS) to Johannesburg OR Tambo International Airport (JNB). According to Flightradar24, the Boeing 747 departed Amsterdam at 23:25 and landed in Johannesburg at 09:56.
The cargo carrier is proud to have played a critical role in getting the lions to their new sanctuary, leveraging its extensive experience in transporting wild animals. The airline has a dedicated animal hotel at its KLM Cargo facilities in Amsterdam and expert staff members who diligently oversee animal welfare during flights. Speaking about the facility, Air France-KLM Martinair Cargo Global Head of Specials Logistics Mirjam Scherer said,
“At our animal hotel at Schiphol, we prioritize dedication to providing the best care for our animal passengers. We ensure the highest level of attention and care for every animal under our care, from the moment of arrival to departure. Our team of seasoned professionals is ready to deliver the best service and care, including special diets, administering medication, and, of course, plenty of love and attention.”
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Lions with similar backgrounds
Vasylyna and Nikola share incredibly similar stories. The young lioness Vasylyna arrived at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary on June 7, 2023. She had been kept as a pet in Ukraine before escaping and wandering through the war-torn streets of a village near Kharkiv. She was captured by the founder of Wild Animal Rescue and taken to a temporary wildlife shelter in Ukraine. Due to the hostile situation in the country and lack of adequate care and space, she was relocated to the Netherlands.
Photo: FOUR PAWS
Nikola found his way to the Dutch sanctuary after being rescued from illegal private possession in Montenegro. He was found in February 2022 and confiscated by local authorities. He had been roaming the streets near Budva on the Adriatic coast, exhausted and malnourished. Thanks to the collaborative efforts, the two lions now have a new home in a large sanctuary. FOUR PAWS Director Petra Sleven added,
“The relocation of Vasylyna and Nikola to LIONSROCK means they finally have the opportunity to live in a large sanctuary, surrounded by other lions. While it’s saddening that they never had the chance to be released into the wild due to illegal trade, we are glad to offer them a more natural life here.”
In August 2022, five lions also arrived at LIONSROCK from FELIDA. They were part of a pride of seven rescued by FOUR PAWS from Romania in September 2022. They were taken to the Netherlands for treatment. The younger five were transported to LIONSROCK, while the older two lions remained at FELIDA, requiring specialized care.
Transporting koalas to the Netherlands
On April 19, 2024, Air France-KLM Martinair Cargo facilitated the transportation of three koalas from the US to the Netherlands. The animals arrived in the Netherlands onboard a KLM Boeing 787 Dreamliner, becoming the first koalas to set foot on Dutch soil. This marked a historic moment for everyone involved.
Photo: Air France-KLM
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They were transported on Flight KL602, which departed Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) at 14:14 and arrived at Amsterdam Schiphol at 09:04 local time. Upon arrival, the koalas were unloaded from the aircraft’s cargo hold and transported to the KLM Animal Hotel, where they underwent customs clearance and health checks. On their final leg, they traveled from Amsterdam to Ouwehands Zoo in Rhenen.
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