A major relocation effort began Friday, transporting 30 lions and tigers from a defunct Argentine zoo to sanctuaries in South Africa and the United States. The animals, previously held at the Luján Zoo near Buenos Aires, endured years of uncertainty regarding their future. The operation, organized by the “Four Paws” organization, is considered the largest of its kind. Nine tigers and six lions will be flown to a 60-hectare sanctuary in South Africa called Lion’s Rock, while eight tigers and seven lions will be sent to a wildlife sanctuary in Colorado, USA. The journey involves complex logistics, including stops in Chile, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Johannesburg, with final transport to the sanctuaries by vehicle. “Four Paws” staff spent considerable time acclimating the animals to crates, sometimes requiring sedation for transport. Argentine authorities closed the Luján Zoo in 2020 citing public safety and animal welfare concerns, and the animal population has dwindled from 200 to 62 over the past few years.