23 January 2023 , 14:02
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A lion who lost his roar after being kept alone in a tiny cage at abandoned zoo for five years has an exciting future ahead of him in Africa.
Ruben was the last animal left at a former zoo on the Armenian-Azerbaijan border owned by a Russian businessman who had died.
The other animals were rescued but a new home couldn't be found for the now 15-year-old lion. Instead he was kept in a small cage in solitary confinement and because he had no other lions to communicate with he lost his roar.
Thankfully Ruben has now been rescued by British animal charity Animal Defenders International, who plan to move him to one of their sanctuaries in South Africa.
Surrounded by other lions, it is hoped he'll find his roar again.
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Ruben in his old, tiny cage after being sedated so he could be moved (ROGER ALLEN)Jan Creamer, from the charity, said: "Lions live in family groups and roaring is chatting to them."
Ruben has already been moved to a converted bear sanctuary near Armenia's capital, Yerevan, thanks to the Foundation for Preservation for Wildlife & Cultural Assests (FPWC) where he's being kept in much larger space featuring a comfy hay-bed, two heated rooms and 30ft by 15ft enclosure.
He's also being fed a healthy died and is once matted and moulting coat is getting its shine back.
The businessman's family were happy for Ruben to be rescued but the operation to move him had to be kept secret from anyone else and carefully planned to avoid inflaming tensions in the area which have been heightened by the war in Ukraine.
He was sedated by a vet and then taken on a nine-hour journey to the sanctuary.
Ruben being transported from the zoo to a converted bear sanctuary in Armenia (ROGER ALLEN)He will soon be starting his much longer journey to South Africa, where he'll have access to 2.5 acres of natural habitat.
Jay says being confined to such a small space for so long has sadly had its effects on Ruben.
"His life-long restrictions have weakened his muscles and there appears to be neurological damage to his spine and head and one leg is wobbly and drags," she explained.
"But we are building him up with exercise and food and he is responding well."
She said it was wonderful to see him beginning to engage and interact with people and added: "His calls went unanswered for five years but we are confident that he will roar again."
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