30 Lions and Tigers Leave Argentina's Closed Luján Zoo for Sanctuaries

Thirty lions and tigers from Argentina's former Luján Zoo were transferred to accredited sanctuary facilities in August. Fifteen went to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, and 15 traveled to The Wild Animal Sanctuary in Colorado. The relocation followed years of assessment, veterinary work and preparation after the zoo closed in 2020.

Two destinations for a single complex move

The South Africa group consisted of nine tigers and six lions. The Colorado group included eight tigers and seven lions. Those figures, reported by the Associated Press and FOUR PAWS, account for all 30 animals in the operation.

Moving large carnivores across borders requires more than available aircraft space. Each animal needs health documentation, a secure crate, ground transport, permits and a receiving enclosure prepared for its individual needs. Some cats were trained to enter transport crates voluntarily. Others required veterinary sedation, depending on health and behavior.

Why the rescue took years

Luján Zoo closed in 2020 after years of concern about animal welfare and practices that had allowed close contact between visitors and big cats. FOUR PAWS said 112 lions and tigers were present when its team first became involved in 2023. By the organization's formal takeover and veterinary assessment, 62 remained at the property.

A November 2025 assessment documented significant health needs among the remaining animals. Dental disease, mobility problems and other chronic conditions meant that transport plans had to account for age and individual fitness. A transfer that is safe for one tiger may not be appropriate for another on the same schedule.

Sanctuary care changes the animals' daily environment

A sanctuary does not return captive born or long confined big cats to the wild. It provides lifelong managed care with more space, species appropriate environments and controlled contact. The receiving teams can also continue treatment using records developed during the pre transport examinations.

The planning resembles the careful sequencing described in Buddylio's report on the Marineland beluga transport operation. The species, vehicles and destinations differ, but both moves depend on individualized veterinary clearance and prepared receiving facilities rather than a single dramatic departure.

The work at the former zoo continues

The August transfer did not empty the former zoo. Local follow up reporting said more than 20 big cats remained, while FOUR PAWS described continuing plans for animals not included in this stage. Their next steps depend on health, permits and suitable placements.

This article uses the word rescue for the organized removal from the closed facility and transfer into sanctuary care. It does not imply that every welfare concern was resolved at once, or that the animals can be released into native habitat.

How we reported this: Buddylio reviewed the named sources, checked the organizations and figures shown above, and added context for animal lovers. Any illustration is labeled and does not depict the actual animals or scene. Articles are editorial content, not veterinary advice.