‘World’s loneliest lion’ returns to natural habitat after being abandoned in zoo for years

By Athena Stavrou via SWNS

The "world's loneliest lion" has returned to his natural habitat after he was abandoned in a private zoo for five years.

15-year-old lion Ruben was the only animal left in a private zoo in Armenia after it closed.

While all the other lions were relocated, Ruben was left behind in a tiny concrete cell for five long years.

Now, Ruben has made a 5,200-mile journey from Armenia to South Africa where he took his first steps out of his travel crate into the home of his ancestors.

The epic journey was organized by Animals Defenders International (ADI) and Qatar Airways Cargo.

Ruben is now being rehabilitated at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary (ADIWS) in Free State, South Africa.

ADI President Jan Creamer said: “Lions are the most sociable of the big cats, living in family prides in the wild. So it must have been devastating for Ruben to have no contact or communication with other lions.

"Seeing him walk on grass for the first time, hearing the voices of his own kind, with the African sun on his back, brought us all to tears.”

At first, Ruben's legs were wobbling due to malnutrition and a "lifetime of no exercise."

However, Ruben’s resilience has stunned everyone at the sanctuary. He strode from his travel crate and immediately began playing with a giant catnip punchbag – his first toy.

After not hearing other lions for years, Ruben has already started to get his roar back, his morning calls getting steadily louder as he regains his confidence.

Jan Creamer: “His whole demeanor has transformed, his face is relaxed and no longer fearful. His determination to walk is inspiring.

"If he stumbles or falls he just picks himself up and keeps going. He is nothing short of heroic.

"Incredibly, in just a few days his movement is already improving.

"We know this will be a long road and will require ongoing veterinary treatment but the start of his new life could not have been better.”

Ruben’s happy ending was at risk when ADI could not find a suitable flight for him out of Armenia.

Thankfully, Qatar Airways Cargo ‘WeQare’ charity initiative stepped in. They moved a larger aircraft with hold doors big enough for Ruben’s crate into the scheduled passenger route out of Yerevan.

Elisabeth Oudkerk, SVP Cargo Sales & Network Planning at Qatar Airways Cargo said: “When Animal Defenders International approached us and explained the sad story of Ruben, the lonely lion, we immediately knew we had to help them.

"There are a lot of logistics involved in moving animals like Ruben; from the logistics at the airports involved, the process for loading and unloading the animals from the aircraft, to ensuring the correct cages and wellbeing of the animals are in place.

"It takes a lot of effort from our team to organize such transport - but it is something we are all collectively very proud to be a part of, knowing we helped give back to our planet.”