Glen Vena, Born Free’s Animal Care Manager at our big cat sanctuary in South Africa, remembers Marina the lioness who recently passed away

Marina was found in an apartment in a block of flats in Bucharest, Romania, when she was just four weeks old. She arrived at Shamwari in 2008 and shared an enclosure with Brutus.

Marina had a good life with us here. From the day I met her and her sister Sarnia, it was all smiles and goose bumps. 

It is hard to believe she was with us for 10 years. I truly believe we gave her the best care we could and that she had the best 10 years here with us. She was a beautiful soul. Everyone loved her, especially Brutus.

We were so nervous the day we introduced Marina and Sarnia to Brutus! But they were so clever and made Brutus run for a few hours and he got so tired! I still laugh about this each time I think about it. Brutus loved them both from day one. He is such a gentle lion, even with his background and the abuse he endured in the circus he came from. 

Brutus and Marina were always together. They spent every minute together – play-fighting, chasing each other, roaring together, eating together. He was so gentle with her and always let her win no matter what. I guess that’s why they were so happy with each other. They were soul mates.

Marina was like a member of my family, as are all the other cats I have cared for. I still remember them by name and talk about them every day to the guests that visit us. For me, Marina is not gone. She is resting and I will still get a chance to chat to her and the other cats who have passed away in our special garden. We will never forget her. 

OUR BIG CAT SANCTUARY