Lions abandoned in closed-down Romanian zoo released into South African big cat sanctuary

Five lions have been released into a South African sanctuary after being rescued from a former zoo in northwestern Romania.

Petrica, Lavinia, Lidia, Tarhon Big and Marin were left abandoned after the zoo in Baia Mare was closed for failing to meet European standards for zoos in 2013, Romanian media reports.

Four Paws International animal welfare charity stepped in to take care of the big cats, transferring them to their new habitat at the the Lionsrock Big Cats Sanctuary.

All five lions have been given veterinary checks and are in good health.