My Little Lion Family 🫶🩷🦁
There are moments in life that change everything — moments that remind you what love, courage, and compassion truly mean. For me, one of those moments came when I met four tiny lion cubs who were never meant to survive. Their mother had tragically passed away, and they were destined for a cruel fate — bred to be sold into a circus and euthanized once she was gone. 💔🥺
But fate had other plans for them. Within hours, our team at @theaspinallfoundation sprang into action. We couldn’t let their story end before it had even begun. These four fragile souls — whom we would soon name Kari, Kazo, Zimi, and Simbie — needed warmth, milk, and love more than anything else in the world. What they didn’t know yet was that they were about to find a family. 🩷
The Night Everything Changed
The rescue happened in a blur — a flurry of phone calls, travel arrangements, and emergency preparations. When we finally reached the cubs, they were so small, their eyes barely open, their bodies weak from hunger and fear. The silence of the enclosure was deafening; their mother was gone, and the world around them had gone cold.
We wrapped them carefully in soft blankets and placed them in secure travel crates with heating pads to keep them warm. I remember looking into their tiny faces and feeling this overwhelming mix of sadness and determination. These weren’t just animals in need — they were lives worth saving, futures worth fighting for.
As we drove back through the night, I kept checking on them constantly. Each soft squeak they made, each tiny paw that twitched, filled me with a fierce sense of purpose. I whispered to them, promising they were safe now, that they’d never be alone again.
Hand-Raising Four Lions
The days that followed were some of the hardest — and most beautiful — of my life. We had to feed them around the clock, every two to three hours, with special formula prepared to mimic their mother’s milk. We monitored their temperature, their weight, even their breathing.
In those early weeks, sleep became a luxury none of us could afford. The cubs demanded constant care — and yet, none of us complained. Every feeding, every gentle nudge, every tiny roar was a victory. Their personalities began to shine through so quickly:
🦁 Kari, the smallest of the four, had the biggest heart. She loved cuddling up against my chest and would fall asleep holding my finger with her tiny paw.
🦁 Kazo was the brave one — always the first to explore, the first to climb, and definitely the loudest at mealtime!
🦁 Zimi had a playful spark in her eyes that could light up a room. She was mischievous, curious, and endlessly entertaining.
🦁 Simbie, the gentle giant, grew faster than the others and always looked out for his siblings.
Every day was filled with bottle feeds, cleaning, and playtime, but also with laughter and awe. Watching them grow — from fragile cubs into strong, confident young lions — was nothing short of miraculous.
Growing Together
As the weeks turned into months, our bond deepened. They began to recognize my voice, running toward me whenever they heard it. They’d clamber over each other to be first for cuddles, purring softly as I scratched behind their ears.
They also learned how to play like wild lions — tackling each other, rolling in the grass, and practicing their little “roars.” There’s something so heartwarming about seeing cubs discover their strength — knowing that every jump and tumble is a step closer to the wildness they were born for.
Of course, raising lions isn’t just about cuddles and play. It’s about preparing them for their future. We worked hard to make sure they retained their natural instincts. They learned how to stalk, pounce, and even hunt small prey (through safe, simulated training). Each day, we tried to reduce human interaction just a bit more, slowly encouraging their independence.
Because as much as I love them — and I truly do with all my heart — my ultimate dream isn’t to keep them by my side forever. My dream is to see them back in Africa, where they belong. 🌍🩷
The Dream of the Wild
That dream — to rewild these magnificent animals — is what drives everything we do at The Aspinall Foundation. We believe that wild animals belong in the wild. Our team has already made history by returning lions, gorillas, and other endangered species back to their natural homes — not just in protected reserves, but in truly wild environments.
When I look at my little lion family, I see that same destiny waiting for them. I imagine the day they take their first steps on African soil — feeling the sun on their backs, breathing the dry air of the savannah, and hearing the distant calls of other lions.
It’s going to be bittersweet, of course. Saying goodbye will be hard. They’ve become part of me, part of our sanctuary’s soul. But true love — the kind we give to animals we rescue — isn’t about keeping them. It’s about giving them the freedom they were always meant to have.
What They’ve Taught Me
These four cubs have taught me more about love and resilience than I ever thought possible. They’ve shown me that even in the darkest circumstances, life finds a way. That compassion isn’t just a feeling — it’s an action.
When I sit with them, watching the sun set over the sanctuary, I often think about how close they came to being lost forever. And it fills me with hope — hope that one act of kindness, one rescue, one heartbeat of courage, can truly change the world for someone else.
They remind me why we fight for conservation. Why we raise awareness. Why we never give up, even when it feels impossible. Because every animal — every living being — deserves a chance to live, to roam free, to be.
A Family Bound by Love
My little lion family isn’t just a story about saving animals. It’s a story about connection. About what happens when humans choose compassion over convenience, love over apathy.
Kari, Kazo, Zimi, and Simbie are thriving now — strong, healthy, playful, and so full of life. They still love their massages, their toys, and their naps in the sun. But most of all, they love each other. Watching them cuddle together, grooming one another, or chasing butterflies through the grass fills my heart in ways words can barely describe.
Every time I see them, I’m reminded of how powerful love can be. These cubs were once destined for despair, but now, they represent hope — not just for their own species, but for all the voiceless creatures who depend on us to protect them.
And one day, when the time is right, we’ll send them home. Back to the wild. Back to where they belong. 🦁🩷🌍
