In loving memory of Jora

Jora (c) Lyndon Brandt

Sadly, after on-going health issues, we recently had to say goodbye to our beloved Jora, a 17-year-old lion rehomed from a Bulgarian circus ten years ago. 

Jora arrived at Born Free’s Big Cat Sanctuary at Shamwari Private Game Reserve in South Africa in September 2015, along with his brother Black. Together, Jora and Black were the last two lions from Bulgaria’s circus industry.

Thankfully, the Bulgarian government banned wild mammals in circuses in early 2015, and Jora and Black’s owner got in contact with Born Free to ask for our help. Thanks to generous donations from our supporters, we were able to arrange for the lions to come to South Africa. Lavished with the best possible care, Jora, alongside Black saw out their days in a peaceful, enriched, natural habitat enclosure, with no pressure to perform or even be ‘on display’.

Jora and Black were affectionate brothers and sought comfort in each other’s presence. Unfortunately, both lions had complex health problems due to their deprived lives prior to rescue. Under the loving care of our team in South Africa, the brothers’ health improved. But, they always retained symptoms relating to their poor diet when they were young.

Sadly, as the lions grew older their health deteriorated. We had to say goodbye to Black in January 2024, while Jora remained under the watchful eye of our animal care team. In recent weeks it became clear that Jora’s health was deteriorating and very much impacting his quality of life. We realised it was time to say goodbye and our care team at Shamwari agreed gently putting him to sleep would be the kindest opinion. The end was very peaceful.

Jora will be laid to rest in the garden of remembrance at Shamwari and finally reunited with his beloved Black.