Lion rescued from flood-hit zoo in Russian Far East invited to Africa

A safari park in Africa could be the most favorable option for the animal, who has lived the whole life in cages, the executive director of a Russian tiger rehab center

Lion called Grey who was visited by Hollywood star Pamela Anderson last month after being rescued from a flood-stricken animal park in Russia’s Far Eastern city Ussuriysk, has been invited to move to a safari park in Africa, the executive director of a Russian tiger rehab center said on Wednesday.

The lion has earlier received invitations from many zoos and safari parks of Russia, including in the southern resort town Gelendzhik and in Crimea.

The lion was airlifted by rescuers of the Russian Ministry for Emergency Situations in early September after spending three days in his half-submerged cage. The animal was later sent to the center in Primorye and is expected to stay there until late November.

Green Island animal park in Ussuriysk, flooded by heavy rain in late August, was home to 42 animals, the smallest of the zoo’s inhabitants evacuated first by police in portable cages. A Himalayan bear, a wolf-dog and a badger perished in the waters, and another bear died after evacuation from wounds and stress.

American actress and a dedicated animal rights activist Pamela Anderson visited the lion in early September as she arrived to the Eastern Economic Forum in the Russian Far Eastern city of Vladivostok to discuss wildlife protection.

H.Z