Lions Ivan and Cornel arrived at LIONSROCK from Serbia on the 25th of September 2012. The brothers were born in 2008.

Ivan and Cornel were born in Belgrade Zoo and acquired by a private person in 2009, before national legislation that prohibits possession of such animals by private persons came into force in 2012. Due to the substandard conditions for keeping these animals and the potential risk to the public, Ivan and Cornel were confiscated by the Serbian authorities.

As there was no adequate space in existing zoos to accommodate the lions in Serbia, and no specialized rescue center, the Serbian authorities asked FOUR PAWS to help, or the animals would have had to be euthanized. 

Today Ivan and Cornel share a species appropriate enclosure at LIONSROCK, living their best life under the African sun.