A rescued tiger from the former Zoo Lujan in Argentina.
After years of confinement in barren concrete enclosures, 30 lions and tigers have finally departed the former Zoo Lujan in Buenos Aires.
On August 17, 2026, the big cats embarked on the journey to their new homes following a long, hard-fought battle that involved massive logistical challenges and expert veterinary intervention by the global animal welfare organisation, FOUR PAWS.
A rescued lion, safely sedated for transport, is carefully carried by the FOUR PAWS team before being loaded onto trucks for its journey to a specialized sanctuary.
Zoo Lujan in Buenos Aires, Argentina, had already faced immense public and regulatory scrutiny for years over its highly controversial petting zoo practices before Argentine authorities finally ordered its closure in 2020. However, the closure left the resident animals in a precarious state of limbo without adequate veterinary infrastructure.
