Lion cub abused by his captors in Russia, then kept in safety for seven months, will be flown to his natural habitat in an African wildlife shelter

Simba will journey from Russia to Tanzania in late November. All repatriation expenses will be paid by the Russian Copper Company after animal rights activists issued an appeal for assistance URALS, Russia, Nov. 20: The days ahead are cheerful for Simba, the lion cub who was utilized as a prop for photo shoots in Russia. The lion was near death when he was retrieved from a barn in Dagestan, Russia in March 2020; he was tortured, weak, and not in a position to walk. Local residents told authorities his captors used the cub to make money, charging tourists to take selfies with Simba, and that his legs were broken to prevent his escape. He was also malnourished and his body was covered with wounds. Reports of the abuse reached animal rights activists in the Urals. Veterinarian Dr. Karen Dallakyan and others were able to rescue the cub and bring him to Dallakyan's nonprofit animal rescue centre SAVE ME Foundation in Chelyabinsk, Russia. For seven months, Dallakyan and his team provided medical treatment and cared for Simba. Says Dallakyan, "Many devoted people worked to save Simba. Witnessing the transformation of this magnificent animal makes it all worthwhile. I am relieved and thankful that businesses, organizations, and individuals have banded together to allow this animal to thrive in his natural environment . This is the first official repatriation of wild animals in the history of Russia.