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Abused lion cub gets forever home at sanctuary
“To be able to welcome King to his new home is incredibly heart-warming for us.”

King was kept as a ‘pet’ in a Paris apartment 

A young lion cub kept in appalling conditions in an apartment in Paris has been relocated to a big cat sanctuary, the Born Free Foundation has announced.

The one-year-old cub, named King, was rescued last summer after distressing images shared on social media showed him being kicked and beaten by an unknown man in France.

Members of the public notified the authorities, who launched an investigation. King was found in an abandoned apartment, half-starved and cowering in a small dirty cage.

Initially, he was nursed back to health at the Natuurhulpcentrum rescue centre in Belgium, before being transported to his permanent home in South Africa. He will now spend the rest of his days at the Big Cat Rescue Centre, Shamwari Private Game Reserve.

Born Free’s co-founder Virginia McKenna said: “I am sure there will be a lot of smiling faces today! So many people responded to our appeal to bring young King to Shamwari, and now he has arrived!

“Thanks to everyone whose hearts were touched by his story, he now takes his first steps on African soil, and can begin his happy new life. May it be a long and peaceful one.”

Joe Cloete, general manager of the Shamwari Group, added: “To be able to welcome King to his new home is incredibly heart-warming for us.”
 
Born Free said King’s story before he was rescued highlights the plight of millions of captive wild animals that are kept as pets around the world.

Head of animal welfare and captivity, Dr Chris Draper, said: “It is staggering that, in 2018, lion cubs are still finding their way into the pet trade in Europe. We are concerned that King’s case is the tip of the iceberg, and that a great many wild animals are being kept illegally as pets across Europe and elsewhere.

“This situation needs to be addressed urgently, and we hope that by introducing the world to King – his plight, his rescue and his rehoming to lifetime care – Born Free can draw attention to this important issue.”

Image © NHC

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Practices urged to audit neutering data

News Story 1
 RCVS Knowledge has called on vet practices to audit their post-operative neutering outcomes.

It follows the release of the 2024 NASAN benchmarking report, which collates data from neutering procedures performed on dogs, cats and rabbits.

The benchmarking report enables practices in the UK and Ireland to compare their post-operative outcomes to the national average. This includes the rate of patients lost to follow-up, which in 2024 increased to 23 per cent.

Anyone from the practice can submit the data using a free template. The deadline for next report is February 2026.

Visit the RCVS Knowledge website to complete an audit. 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
UK's BSE risk status downgraded

The WOAH has downgraded the UK's international risk status for BSE to 'negligible'.

Defra says that the UK's improved risk status recognises the reputation for having the highest standards for biosecurity. It adds that it demonstrates decades of rigorous animal control.

Outbreaks of Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy, also known as mad cow disease, have previously resulted in bans on Britain's beef exports.

The UK's new status could lead to expanded trade and better confidence in British beef.

Christine Middlemiss, the UK's chief veterinary officer, said: "WOAH's recognition of the UK as negligible risk for BSE is a significant milestone and is a testament to the UK's strong biosecurity measures and the hard work and vigilance of farmers and livestock keepers across the country who have all played their part in managing the spread of this disease.