Tiger laying in concrete pen looking back at camera before rescue from former zoo in Argentina

Global Animal Welfare Org FOUR PAWS Prepares for One of Largest Rescue Operations in its History

Thirty Big Cats to be Rehomed from a Former Zoo in Argentina and Transported to Sanctuaries in the United States and South Africa

Buenos Aires, Argentina (August 17, 2026) – Global animal welfare organization FOUR PAWS is preparing one of the largest international big cat rescue operations in its history. In the coming weeks, 30 lions and tigers will begin a new chapter of their lives at specialized sanctuaries in South Africa and the United States. This operation represents another important milestone in FOUR PAWS’ long-term commitment to finding sustainable welfare solutions for big cats that have spent years living in inadequate captive conditions.

Nine tigers and six lions will be relocated in mid-August from the former Zoo Luján in Argentina to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, owned and operated by FOUR PAWS, in South Africa. FOUR PAWS has also partnered with The Wild Animal Sanctuary (TWAS) to provide a further 15 big cats from the former zoo with species-appropriate care in their Colorado sanctuary.

TWAS, which sits on over 40,000+ acres of land, currently provides lifelong care to more than 1,000 rescued animals and offers the specialized expertise and expansive habitat needed to ensure a safe and appropriate home for rescued lions, tigers, bears, wolves, leopards, and other large carnivores.

The 30 big cats are being removed from inappropriate keeping conditions at the former Zoo Luján which has been closed since 2020.  Although the FOUR PAWS team is working in the former zoo to improve animal care standards and veterinary support, the facility’s structural limitations prevent it from providing a sustainable welfare solution for all of the big cats. 

“Every rescue changes an animal’s life, but our ultimate goal is to create a future in which rescues like these are no longer necessary. While we do everything possible to provide rescued animals with the highest standards of welfare, years of captivity often leave irreversible physical and emotional consequences. That is why we continue working with authorities, experts and partner organizations to strengthen animal welfare policies and promote long-term systemic change.”

Luciana D’Abramo, Chief Programme Officer, FOUR PAWS

This rescue operation continues FOUR PAWS’ work in Luján, which began in 2025 when the organization assumed responsibility for more than 60 big cats and two bears living at the former Zoo Luján. Since then, FOUR PAWS has carried out comprehensive veterinary assessments, medical treatments, infrastructure improvements and environmental enrichment programs while continuing to find long-term, species-appropriate solutions for the remaining big cats.

The operation requires extensive international veterinary and logistical coordination. FOUR PAWS veterinarians and wildlife experts have been working for months to carefully plan every stage of the relocation, ensuring the animals travel under the highest possible animal welfare standards.

Many of the big cats continue to suffer from chronic illnesses, mobility problems, and other long-term consequences of years spent in inadequate keeping conditions. Their relocation will allow them to receive advanced veterinary care while living in species-appropriate environments.

"Bringing 30 big cats out of Argentina has been far more than a simple relocation. It has been an enormous logistical undertaking, but seeing these animals begin their journey to a better future makes every effort worthwhile. After years of inadequate conditions, they finally have the chance to receive the specialized care and species-appropriate environment they deserve."

Dr. Amir Khalil, FOUR PAWS Veterinarian leading the emergency mission at former Zoo Luján

FOUR PAWS team in red vests holding sedated tiger in sling during transport

Follow FOUR PAWS, LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, and TWAS on social media for ongoing updates, as well as photos and videos of the 30 big cats along their journey from Argentina to their new home in South Africa and Colorado.

@fourpaws.usa

@lionsrock.bigcatsanctuary

@wildanimalsanctuary

 

Available for comment/interview:

From FOUR PAWS:

  • Luciana D'Abramo, Chief Program Officer
  • Katherine Miller, Director, United States

From The Wild Animal Sanctuary:

  •  Danika Oriol-Morway, Chief Rescue and Programs Logistics Officer at The Wild Animal Sanctuary

 

About FOUR PAWS. FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organization for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organization advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as 13 wild animal sanctuaries and cooperation projects across the globe, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.fourpawsusa.org 

 

FOUR PAWS on Social Media

Stay up to date on this topic and all FOUR PAWS activities on our social media channels:

or subscribe to our newsletter. 

Share now!

Search