Bear and Lion rescued from Mosul Zoo

Wednesday, April 12, 2017

Many humans have fled Mosul, a major city in Northern Iraq, as a result of the ongoing battle between Iraqi forces and Islamic State militants. However, the animals at the Montazah al-Morour Zoo were trapped.

Most of the animals either starved to death or were killed in fighting earlier this year. The only two survivors were Simba the lion and Lula the bear.

The two animals were rescued earlier this week by the international animal welfare charity Four Paws. Simba and Lula were flown to Jordan on April 10.

The successful rescue follows a failed attempt in late March.

While in Mosul, Lula suffered from pneumonia and Simba had bad joints.

At her new residence, Lula took her first bath.

In a Facebook post by Four Paws International, the organization noted that Lula has no signs of fear or insecurity, but that Simba is still a little shy and enjoys the comforts of his crate.

Lula needs to adapt to her surroundings, as she is living in a grass-covered enclosure for the first time in her life.