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In the early morning hours, a quiet marina in Beirut's Dbayeh district saw a rather unique passenger being loaded onto a yacht. This passenger was a lion cub, rescued from a life as a TikTok prop, now on her way to a wildlife refuge in South Africa, thanks to the dedicated efforts of a Lebanese animal welfare organization, Animals Lebanon.

The journey undertaken by the Animals Lebanon team was meticulously planned, ensuring minimal detection by hovering Israeli drones amid the escalating conflict in the region. As dawn broke, smoke from recent airstrikes in Beirut’s southern suburbs painted a somber backdrop to the cub’s departure. The first leg of her trip was a boat ride to Cyprus, followed by flights to Dubai and then Cape Town. Finally, the young lion, named Sara, arrived safely at the Drakenstein Lion Park sanctuary on Friday.

The rescue marked the fifth lion that Animals Lebanon has saved since the outbreak of conflict between Hezbollah and Israel last year, a conflict which intensified after the assassination of Hezbollah's leader, Hassan Nasrallah, in September. Since its inception in 2008, Animals Lebanon has facilitated the rescue and relocation of 25 big cats, including lions and tigers, from Lebanon to sanctuaries worldwide.

The ongoing war has posed significant logistical challenges for the organization. Previously, Middle East Airlines had been used to transport these animals. However, post-September, the airline ceased carrying animals, forcing the team to seek alternative means. Despite facing these hurdles, Jason Meier, the American co-founder of Animals Lebanon, stated that their work is vital not just for animals but for the people affected by the war as well.

Sara’s rescue highlighted another dark aspect of the conflict: the plight of pets left behind by fleeing residents. Animals Lebanon's headquarters, bustling with over 200 cats, dogs, and birds, serves as a refuge for pets owned by displaced individuals. Many pet owners, now housed in makeshift shelters like schools, regularly visit to check on their beloved animals.

The lion cub’s journey started when she was seen in TikTok videos by a social media influencer who used her as a prop. When Animals Lebanon found her, she bore scars and infections, indicative of the neglect she had suffered. The organization secured a court order to take custody of the cub, who had grown considerably by September.

Keeping exotic animals such as lions and tigers is illegal but remains rampant in Lebanon. These animals are often sourced from local breeding programs and sold at high prices. Unfortunately, once in captivity, they endure poor living conditions, leading to premature deaths.

Sara is now in a safer environment in South Africa, receiving the care she needs. Other rescued animals by the organization, including baboons and other big cats, await transfer to sanctuaries around the globe. Maggie Shaarawi, the lion's primary caregiver and cofounder of the organization, expressed mixed emotions as she bid farewell to Sara. Her dedication to the cub’s wellbeing was evident in their daily routines of care and affection over the past months.

Despite the immense personal and professional challenges, the team at Animals Lebanon remains committed to rescuing and rehabilitating wildlife amid the broader turmoil, underscoring the interconnection between animal welfare and human compassion.