STAFF from a Crow Country wildlife park have come to the rescue of a group of stricken lions. Experts from Shepreth Wildlife Park flew out to Oradea in Romania last week to rescue 13 lions from a zoo where they were living in conditions described as horr

STAFF from a Crow Country wildlife park have come to the rescue of a group of stricken lions.

Experts from Shepreth Wildlife Park flew out to Oradea in Romania last week to rescue 13 lions from a zoo where they were living in conditions described as "horrific".

Rebecca Willers, animal manager at Shepreth, was part of the team, and said: "The experience has been immeasurable, to see the horrific conditions that these magnificent creatures were kept, and then to know that you are there that day to take them away from this, is truly inspiring."

The challenging and dangerous operation was carried out in difficult conditions, with up to five lions being kept in each 12ft by 15ft enclosure. The team from Shepreth, along with staff from Yorkshire Wildlife Park and Twycross Zoo, worked in sub-zero temperatures to tranquilise the individual lions and move them into separate flight crates ready for the flight to Britain.

Miss Willers added: "You can see the Romanian keepers do care for these animals, they simply do not have the money to look after them, but the lions shouldnt have to endure these kind of conditions, so thank goodness the UK has zoo's which are in a position to help create a better future for these cats."

The plan to move the lions was hatched last summer, when directors from Yorkshire Wildlife Park visited the zoo and were shocked by the conditions the animals were living in. The creatures will now kept at a purpose built facility at the park, funded by public donations, at the Yorkshire park, which is near Doncaster.