Lions, tigers, and bears, all once confined to cramped cages in a now-shuttered zoo on the outskirts of Buenos Aires, were receiving much-needed veterinary care on Thursday for the first time in years.
The animals, which had long been neglected after the zoo’s closure in 2020, were being evaluated as part of an extensive rescue operation coordinated by the international animal welfare organization, Four Paws, reports AP-UNB.
The 62 big cats and two brown bears were being prepared for transfer to large wildlife sanctuaries abroad. The rescue marks one of Argentina’s most challenging animal welfare operations following the shutdown of Lujan Zoo, famous for allowing visitors to interact with dangerous animals like tigers and lions.
The Lujan Zoo was closed due to increasing safety concerns in 2020. However, the condition of the animals continued to deteriorate in the years that followed. For five years, a small group of former zookeepers took it upon themselves to feed and care for the remaining big cats, despite being fired. However, most of the animals did not survive.
By the time Four Paws arrived in 2023, the number of lions and tigers had already dwindled to 112 from the original 136. Sadly, the toll on the animals was severe: poor nutrition, injuries from fights with other animals, and lack of medical attention led to the deaths of almost half the animals in the past two years. The surviving cats were housed in cages that were too small and unsanitary, with overcrowding described as an “understatement” by Four Paws’ chief program officer, Luciana D’Abramo.
The cages were so small that seven female lions were crammed into a 3-square-meter (10-square-foot) space, and several different species, including two Asian tigers and two African lions, were confined together. These conditions caused constant hostility and fighting among the animals.
Under normal circumstances, a lion would have a full hectare (2.5 acres) of land in Four Paws’ sanctuaries, far more space than what they had in the zoo. This ongoing operation represents Four Paws’ largest mission of its kind, surpassing past rescues in war zones such as Syria and Iraq.
In a recent partnership with Argentina’s government, Four Paws has taken responsibility for the surviving animals and will continue working to evacuate them to spacious sanctuaries around the world. The agreement also includes measures to end the private ownership of exotic big cats in Argentina.
On-site veterinarians and experts were working tirelessly to treat the animals, many of whom had never received vaccinations, sterilizations, or identification. As the team performed surgeries, administered antibiotics, and provided IV drips for pain relief, it became evident how grave the situation had been. One tiger required surgery for a bleeding tail wound, while another lioness was treated for a tumor. Several cats also needed dental work and treatment for deformed claws from their time on unsuitable flooring.
In the coming weeks, the remaining animals will be transferred to their new homes, where they will have the opportunity to roam freely in more natural habitats. Some former zookeepers who spent years working with the cats have expressed relief at the improved conditions, but a sense of nostalgia for the zoo’s past also lingers.
As one former keeper, Alberto Díaz, recalled, “It used to be a very popular place… I’ve seen people cry because they could touch a lion or feed a tiger with a bottle.” He acknowledged, however, that times have changed. “Time changes, laws change, and you have to adapt or get left behind.”
