A remarkable story of rescue, survival, and hope has emerged from Lebanon, centering around Sara, a lion cub whose challenging life took several perilous turns before she found solace at a wildlife sanctuary in South Africa. Sara, just four and a half months old, was rescued from harrowing conditions marked by abuse and neglect, highlighting the efforts of animal rights activists amid the chaos of war.
Sara's saga began when she was discovered by Animals Lebanon, a local animal rights group, who found her posted on social media by her owner, who used her as a status symbol. The little cub, covered with ringworms and signs of maltreatment, was brought to the attention of the organization through dramatic videos shared by the owner from Baalbek, where he flaunted her like some designer accessory. According to Jason Mier, the executive director of Animals Lebanon, she was “really just being used as showing off.”
Under Lebanese law, the ownership of wild and exotic animals is illegal, which prompted Animals Lebanon to take action. They filed legal complaints leading to the owner’s interrogation, which resulted in Sara's relinquishment. The group quickly moved her to safer quarters once it became clear the situation was deterioriating, especially as conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalated following the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on Israel, triggering bombings and military responses.
Despite being rescued from her previous owner, Sara’s challenges were far from over. The violence intensified, with Israeli airstrikes targeting areas around Baalbek, compelling Mier and his team to orchestrate her evacuation swiftly. They managed to move her to an apartment in Beirut's busy Hamra district, just before the bombardments began to increase.
Delayed flights due to the conflict altered the original plans for Sara’s travel to South Africa, initially slated for October. The airlines ceased operations amid rising tensions as Hezbollah began retaliatory strikes across the border. With the chaos around them, Animals Lebanon continued its mission, rescuing numerous pets and other animals displaced by the violence, dealing with the emotional toll of the war on both animals and owners.
Through global donations, Animals Lebanon arranged for Sara's complex evacuation. The cub was transported by yacht to Cyprus, before boarding flights through the United Arab Emirates to finally land at her new home. On November 14, 2024, after enduring what can only be described as a harrowing escape from conflict, Sara arrived at the wildlife sanctuary where she would finally find her place among her kind.
Sara's rescue marked the fifth such mission for Animals Lebanon since the escalation of conflict. The organization has taken significant strides to not just fight against illegal wildlife trade, but also to save pets trapped amid the conflicts ravaging the region. Mier reminisced about their attempt to secure Sara's safe travels, which included her thriving under the care of the rescue group, growing to 88 pounds on a diet of raw meat, and receiving affection from the staff, particularly Mier’s wife, Maggie.
After enjoying her stay at Beirut, where she played and nursed back to health, Sara’s integration awaits her at the sanctuary, where she'll join her fellow lions. Plans are already made for future monitoring to check for any diseases before she is introduced to the other rescued lions.
When asked about Sara’s final adjustments and her new life, Mier expressed nothing but hope, sharing his optimism for Sara's fresh start. “She’ll be integrated with two recent lions we've sent from Lebanon, so she’ll make a nice group of three, hopefully,” Mier said. “That’s where she will live out the rest of her life. That is the best option for her.”
The story of Sara encapsulates not just the plight of individual animals amid broader conflicts, but also the commendable efforts undertaken by organizations like Animals Lebanon to provide sanctuary and care for those who cannot fend for themselves. Their initiative shines a light on the often-overlooked consequences of war on non-human lives, affirming the resilience of both human and animal spirit amid adversity.
