Honouring Vasylyna, Supporting Nikola - A Story of Love, Loss and Resilience

After the sudden passing of Vasylyna, LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary is focused on guiding Nikola through his grief and ensuring he continues to thrive.

It is with heavy hearts that we remember the sudden passing of lioness Vasylyna, who left us last year. Her journey, from surviving conflict in Ukraine to finding safety and love in our sanctuaries, touched everyone who followed her story.

Rescued as a young cub from the war‑torn streets of Ukraine, Vasylyna arrived at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary frightened, vulnerable, and in need of gentle rehabilitation. There, she slowly regained her strength and confidence.

It was also at FELIDA that she met Nikola, a young lion rescued from Montenegro. Their connection grew naturally, from curious interactions to playful bonding and mutual grooming. Caregivers fondly described their relationship as the love story of “Nikolyna.”

In April 2024, the pair embarked on a new chapter under the African sun at LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, where they could finally experience the freedom and peace they deserved.

When Vasylyna passed away unexpectedly, the loss was devastating. She was still young and previous health checks had shown no signs of underlying concerns. The shock was deeply felt by her caretakers and by Nikola, who suddenly found himself without his companion. “When a bonded animal loses their partner, the emotional impact can be profound. Ensuring the wellbeing of the surviving animal becomes our immediate priority,” said Hildegard Pirker, Sanctuary Manager.

Since Vasylyna’s passing, Nikola has been receiving individualised support from our behaviour consultant. His tailored care plan includes:

• Close behavioural observation to monitor his emotional needs
• Additional enrichment activities from volunteers to keep his environment stimulating
• Occasional enclosure swaps to offer new scents, sights, and experiences
• Access to neighbouring enclosures for safe visual contact and social stimulation

His enclosure is one of four linked through gates to the next one, giving the team flexibility to swap Nikola and his neighbours. 

Looking ahead, we hope to find Nikola a suitable companion again. He is still young, and lions are social animals who benefit greatly from companionship. While we currently have no suitable match at LIONSROCK, this may change in future.

Although her life was far too short, Vasylyna’s story remains one of courage, recovery and hope a symbol of why sanctuaries matter and why every rescued animal deserves safety, dignity, and love. Rest gently, Vasylyna. You were more than a survivor.

“Despite her past Vasylyna had nothing but trust towards people and was eager to experience life. We wanted nothing more than to give her a long and deserving life here in our sanctuary, but we must be grateful that she had the chance to experience it at all. All our big cats are a symbol of resilience, and we take solace knowing that she had not only overcome her past but was thriving in her new home,” concludes Pirker.

For more information, please visit our website at www.lionsrock.org