Neglected lions from Que. roadside zoo find refuge at Rosseau, Ont. sanctuary

Lions rescued from a roadside zoo in Quebec resting in their temporary enclosures at Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Rosseau, Ont. Humane World for Animals played a coordinating role in the rescue. (Humane World for Animals Canada)

Six lions are receiving a second chance at life after they were discovered in a confined roadside shed in Quebec, exhibiting signs of severe stress and lack of veterinary care, an animal welfare group says.

Humane World for Animals Canada says this “critical rescue” follows the largest zoo animal seizure in Canadian history — when more than 200 wild and exotic animals from a roadside zoo in St-Édouard-de-Maskinongé, Que., back in 2019.

The six big cats were removed from the Quebec zoo and transported to Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary in Rosseau, Ont., where a trio of state-of-the-art enclosures were built to temporarily house them, according to Humane World for Animals in a news release Monday.

After weeks in Aspen’s caring hands, three of the lions were taken to their final home at The Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota, USA. Staff say the remaining lions will spend the rest of their lives at Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge in Eureka Springs, Arkansas.

Linda Glimps, Aspen Valley Sanctuary’s executive director, expressed her gratitude, stating that having the opportunity to temporarily care for the lions was both deeply moving and heartbreaking.

“No wild animal should ever endure the conditions they came from. At Aspen Valley, we gave them safety and dignity for the first time in their lives. Their move to a permanent sanctuary marks a new beginning — and underscores the urgent need for stronger federal laws in Canada to ensure no animal suffers in captivity again," said Glimps.

Staff are also emphasizing that this story illustrates the urgent need for government action.

“This critical rescue operation, which required the collaboration of Humane World for Animals Canada ... and multiple sanctuaries, along with significant resources, highlights the urgent need to reform Canada’s wildlife laws, including a federal ban on the captivity of non-domestic big cats, elephants, and great apes for entertainment,” Humane World for Animals says.

Staff at Turpentine Creek say they are pleased to welcome the lions from Aspen Valley Wildlife Sanctuary.

“The additional cats will be moved to Eureka Springs, Arkansas, and enjoy a good life at a true sanctuary,” said Tanya Smith, executive director of Turpentine Creek Wildlife Refuge.

“We are grateful to all who help during this noble endeavor. It’s been a hugely complex operation, but we made it together. The lions are safe.”

The refuge added that the lions rescued by The Wildcat Sanctuary are already living “happily wild at heart” in large free-roaming habitats, including lion cub Mango, who was born during this rescue.

Need for action

According to Humane World for Animals Canada, wild and exotic animals in captivity remain tragically underprotected.

“Without meaningful legislation, unethical facilities will continue to profit from animal suffering. Canada now has a clear opportunity to bring federal animal welfare laws in line with public values—and to establish itself as a global leader in protecting captive wildlife," said Rebecca Aldworth, the organization’s executive director.

In 2023, the former Liberal government made a mandate to better protect wildlife in captivity by introducing Bill S-15 — an Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act.

Humane World for Animals says this would have banned new captivity of great apes and elephants at a national level for use in entertainment.

The law also recommended including big cats like lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, and cheetahs.

The bill died on the order paper with the recent federal election. Now, Humane World for Animals Canada stated in a release that it is urging the federal government to introduce legislation to ban the captivity of big cats, elephants, and great apes as soon as possible.