2026-03-30 11:01:38

A young lion that was illegally sold as a cub has been reunited with his parents.

Staff from The Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota had saved nine lions from a roadside zoo in Quebec, Canada, but discovered Kiros was missing from the pride, only to receive a surprising phone call a few months later.

A young lion, related to rescued creatures Kim and Carl was looking for a home and staff checked photos and records to confirm it was Kiros.

The cub had been seized by authorities and taken to an accredited zoo, where he remained for 18 months while legal proceedings involving the roadside facility were resolved.

The Wildcat Sanctuary staff made a 2,280-mile roundtrip to bring back Kiros – which means Lord – after securing international parents, and Kim and Carl watched curiously as he arrived back at the facility.

Tammy Thies, founder and executive director of The Wildcat Sanctuary, told People magazine: “From the moment we heard about the missing cub, we hoped we might one day find him.

“To discover that Kiros not only survived but could come to the sanctuary where his parents now live is incredibly powerful. Stories like this remind us why rescue work matters.

“Kiros’ story highlights the cruelty of roadside zoos and the illegal pet trade.

“But it also shows what’s possible when animal welfare organizations, accredited sanctuaries, and caring supporters work together to give these animals the lives they deserve.

“This is a new beginning for Kiros. After everything he’s been through, he can now relax at his forever home.”

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