Video gallery
Get a better impression of FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary: our rescues, our daily work, our stories and our animals
This was 2022!
We proudly look back on the past year at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary. 2022 was a memorable year, in which the arrival of the young lion Nikola and the move of the 5 Romanian lions to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary where the absolute highlights! Watch the video and see what we were able to achieve this year thanks to your support.
Interesting facts about tigers
Learn here some of the most fascinating facts about these beautiful creatures.
Our curious Nikola is such a playful young lion
The animal caretakers gave Nikolaa watermelon to play with. He immediately started to practice his soccer skills!
World Lion Day
August 10th is World Lion Day! We are happy to be celebrating our lovely rescued lions living in our sanctuaries and cooperation projects worldwide.
The mighty roar of Bobby
SOUND ON! for the most beautiful sound in the world: a lion’s roar! Did you know that the roar of a lion can be heard 8 kilometers away? Bobby shows you how that’s done!
Simba enjoying enrichment
Simba may be a small lion, but this does not stop him from looking for ’big’ adventures! He loves to explore new enrichment and sniff out new scents. Our animal caretakers are happy to make something new for him every time!
Time to wake up!
SOUND ON! We cannot decide whether this video contributes to a very good start of the day, or rather wants to make us go back to bed! Anyhow, it is amazing to see (and hear!) how comfortable our tiger Tsezar feels. He absolutely has no rush to get up!
The 5 youngest Romanian lions together
Throwback to the day that the 5 youngest Romanian lion siblings were reunited at FELIDA. In this video you see how relaxed Vincent and Ellie are and how they cuddle each other, while Roman is more interested in investigating the camera.
Our CEO Josef Pfabigan at FELIDA
Part of our mission is to protect animals. And behind every rescued animal lies a tale that deserves to be revealed. One of these tales was the rescue of lion Simba and his six siblings from captivity in Romania last year. In this emotional video you can watch the moment when our CEO, Josef Pfabigan, welcomes the animals to their new home in one of our big cat sanctuaries. To rescue, to protect and to reveal: these three verbs have defined the work we did in 2021. Once again we have been out there in many corners of this planet to fight for a world in which people treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. Since many years this has been our mission - and with your support, we will continue it in 2022 as well.
This was FELIDA in 2021
GOOSEBUMPS! That is what we got when looking back at all we accomplished at FELIDA in 2021. It was a challenging but memorable year, in which the arrival of the 7 Romanian lions and tiger Tsezar were the absolute highlights. We mourn the losses of some of our beloved animals, but every animal that we could save gives us the strength to continue and to look forward to our future plans. Watch the video and see what we could achieve with your support. May the big cats of FELIDA count on your support in 2022?
Bath time for Tsezar
Throwback to the last autumn sun rays! While the days are getting shorter and colder, we like to look back on the first week that Tsezar was with us at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary. Back then it was still warm enough for him to take a relaxing bath which he very much enjoyed! Luckily Tsezar is very content with all his new experiences, so even though we emptied the baths now due to the colder temperature, he loves to spend time in his hammock, to play with enrichment and to simply enjoy his new life!
Halloween at FELIDA
This year for Halloween, our team made some special enrichment for the furry inhabitants. Check out how Bobby, Dehli, Ellie, Geena and Simba enjoy their treats!
The life changing journey of tiger Tsezar
A chance of a new life started for Tsezar the moment he arrived at his new home FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary. He suffered a sad life for many years. Since we heard about Tsezar’s case and his miserable past, we could not stop fighting for him! It was a challenging transfer across many borders, but we succeeded and it was all worth it! A special thanks goes to Wild Animal Rescue in Kiev for everything they did for Tsezar, as well as to 'Tigers in America' for their support.
#BringTsezarHome
#BringTsezarHome Tsezar’s years of misery will soon come to an end. With the support of our philantrophic partner 'Tigers in America' we want to accommodate Tsezar in FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary to give him everything he needs. Final preparations for the transfer to the Netherlands are underway. Keep your fingers crossed that everything will run smoothl
A 'Food Ball' for Dehli
Since two weeks Dehli is no longer the only lady at our FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary, but she is still our one and only Queen! She is reacting very well to the 7 new lions from Romania. In all her years at FELIDA, she has seen quite some big cats and is not so easily impressed anymore. So although she had to get used to the funny sounds and strange smells of these new neighbours, she soon picked up the daily business again, like happily destroying this 'food ball'.
We rescued 7 Romanian lions!
We are overfilled with joy that the 7 Romanian lions are now with us in FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary, where they are getting the care they need and deserve. Their rescue was really a tricky task, caring for and safely transporting seven lions at once was a huge challenge that we were able to accomplish with your support and an experienced, dedicated team! Today we want to share this video with you, where you get some insights into the rescue and you can also see Simba's first steps in his new home.
Welcome home Simba, Elza, Vincent, Roman, Dolf, Ellie and Geena!
Tigress Dehli living the good life
As long as the weather allows it️, our tigress Dehli can be found in her little pool nearly every single day at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary. Living the good life!
Dehli lights up our lives
At FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary, the sun is always shining when our lovely old tiger lady Dehli is around. She lights up our lives.
7 Romanian lions need help
7 lions in desperate need of appropriate care and most importantly: a future!
When we arrived in the small village of Picior de Munte in Romania, we couldn't believe what we found there.... Lions in small cages that do not meet the appropriate standards on a private property without professional care or adequate veterinary attention... Due to uncontrolled breeding the animals are crammed together and their situation is getting more hopeless as time passes by! There is an urgent need for action! We want to rescue the lions and bring them to our FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary to give them the special care they need in species-appropriate enclosures. And if possible, we would love to bring those that would benefit from more space to our LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary at a later stage, so they can feel the African sun on their skin.
Happy birthday Dehli!
Today we are celebrating a new milestone for our beautiful tigress Dehli! The Bengal tigress was born in 2001 in a necessitous German zoo where she was not suckled by her mother, but by a dog! Later on she came to the Netherlands, but life did not improve much as first: she was locked away in a very small enclosure without enrichment. FOUR PAWS took over the facility in 2014, and named it FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary. We are delighted with her progress since our special care. Today, Dehli is celebrating her 20th birthday! And although we notice she is really becoming a very old tiger lady, she is still living her life to the fullest.
International Lion Day
Happy International Lion Day!
We are happy to be celebrating the 99 rescued lions living in our sanctuaries worldwide. They have all had the good fortune for a second chance in life and keep flourishing at our LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary and in Al Ma`wa for Nature and Wildlife, which we run together with Princess Alia Foundation. All rescued from poor keeping conditions, locked behind bars, and abused for entertainment, but look at them now! They are enjoying life to the fullest.
International Tiger Day
Happy International Tiger Day!
Did you know in the FOUR PAWS sanctuaries LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary in Germany, and FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands, we take care of 23 rescued tigers? We are proud to give these rescued big cats a second chance in life in our sanctuaries worldwide. Watch the video to admire these amazing animals!
Ivan-Asen having fun with his enrichment
Our lovely lion Ivan-Asen is having a blast with his enrichment, and we are particularly happy to see this since Ivan is not always that playful. But today he is: a sign that he is happy and relaxed!
Our sanctuaries need support
During the last year, most of the world’s everyday life has changed due to COVID-19 to ensure the safety and well-being of all involved. At the same time, our sanctuaries are missing their major income from visitors and tourists as they had to be closed. They are all a safe haven for rescued animals, providing them with a life-long home in a near-natural habitat. Support our sanctuaries today, and be part of our mission to provide animals in need with a second chance to live the life that was meant for them.
Tribute to lions Masoud and Terez
This video is a tribute to lions Masoud and Terez, who spent their last years at our FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary and we know were loved by so many... May these two wonderful big cats rest in peace and their legacy live on!
Dehli is wishing you a good day!
Another day, another enrichment. Tigress Dehli, the oldest animal at our sanctuary, is still enjoying her enrichment!
Bobby is roaring
Did you know that the roar of a lion can be heard 8 kilometers away? Lion Bobby shows you how that’s done!
Dehli enjoys the warmth
The birds are whistling, the sun is shining, the temperature is rising... These are the perfect circumstances for our tiger princess Dehli to enjoy a cooling bath!
This old tiger lady really likes the spring weather (we mean, who doesn’t?!) and we see how much she benefits from the warmth on her body. We love to see her so happy and comfortable!
Ivan-Asen enjoys blood popsicle
He doesn’t like many types of enrichment, but even the picky Ivan-Asen cannot resist a delicious popsicle at our FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary.
Crate training with Terez
To prepare Terez for the journey to the University of Utrecht, for an MRI and CT scan, we teach him via positive reinforcement training to walk into his transport crate himself, so he learns this is not scary.
Lion Lenci 1 year at FELIDA
Lion Lenci was rescued by FOUR PAWS from a private zoo in Albania, that was known as "Zoo from Hell". After his rescue, Lenci came to FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary.
Dehli enjoys spring time
Tigress Dehli is the oldest animal in our FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary. After the loss of her brother Rhadja, her enclosure was renovated so she will not be surrounded by the lions who are quite intimidating to her without Rhadja by her side. She enjoys the greenery and the new platforms.
FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary 2019
This was FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary 2019! It was a memorable year with exciting events like tiger Caruso moving to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in South Africa, and the arrival of lions Lenci, Bobby and Zhaku from Albania. We mourn the losses of some of our beloved animals, but every animal that we could save gives us the strength to continue.
Clicker training
In the FOUR PAWS sanctuaries we do a lot of positive reinforcement trainings. These trainings have different goals, like trust-building training, animal transport training and medical training. In this video chief bear keeper Albana Hoti from our BEAR SANCTUARY Prishtina in Kosovo and animal caretaker Erin Liewes from FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary explain more about these important trainings.
Transport of Lenci, Bobby & Zhaku
The lions Lenci, Bobby and Zhaku were rescued by FOUR PAWS from a private zoo in Albania. In May 2019, they made the long journey home. A journey from 3,000 kilometres from Albania to FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands.
Preparations for arrival of 3 new lions
After a long wait, we cannot wait to welcome the lions Lenci, Bobby and Zhaku at our FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary. The team has prepared customised enclosures for them.
Enrichment for Rhadja & Dehli
A feel-good video: tigers Rhadja and Dehli enjoy their enrichment at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary.
#FightForFierLions
Help us to urge the Albanian authorities to issue the transfer papers for Lenci, Bobby and Zhaku rescued from “Europe’s Worst Zoo”. We want to finally bring them to our FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary, but bureaucratic arbitrariness in Albania is standing in our way.
Caruso's journey
Oh, what a journey! Caruso was born in a German safari park, hand raised in a circus and dumped at inappropriate conditions in a small centre in the Netherlands. When we took over this centre in 2013, Caruso’s life finally started to change. But he still had a long (medical) journey ahead. The big cat never gave up, and neither did we. We are beyond proud that the once insecure and stressed tiger has grown into the beautiful, brave and secure tiger he is nowadays. When he was ready for the final, last step – the transport to our LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary – this was the icing on the cake.
Flashback: the journey of Masoud & Terez
Masoud and Terez were born into horrible surroundings in Razgrad Zoo, a zoo in Bulgaria which also served as an illegal breeding station. Their mother abandoned them just hours after they were born and if it wasn’t for local activists, who took care of Masoud and Terez, they would have died. Last year, we were able to give the playful lion cubs a second chance at our FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary.
Caruso's new chapter in life
In recent years we have brought 14 animals from FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary to LIONSROCK. Now it’s time for 12-year-old Caruso to fly to South Africa. After his rocky start in life, Caruso deserves a spacious and species-appropriate forever home. At our LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, he will live in an enclosure of approximately one hectare, where he will have the opportunity to run, climb, swim in a big pool or hide behind trees and bushes. Let’s bring Caruso home - please support the journey of this beautiful and confident tiger!
The journey of Ivan-Asen
Ivan-Asen was born into horrible surroundings in Razgrad Zoo, a zoo in Bulgaria which also served as an illegal breeding station. Last year, we were able to give this special but traumatized lion a second chance at our FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary.
Bring Ivan-Asen home
Ivan-Asen was kept under terrible conditions at Razgrad Zoo. FOUR PAWS was able to rescue him and temporarily house him at Sofia Zoo where he received emergency treatment. He is now strong enough to be moved to FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary where he will receive all the care he needs.
Masoud & Terez outside for the first time
The two 6-month-old lion cubs Masoud and Terez were released into their very own outdoor enclosure for the first time. Find out how they reacted to their new surroundings at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in this cute video.
The journey of Sultan & Sayeeda
Finally the time had come: tigers Sultan and Sayeeda arrived at their new home after a long journey. A few months ago, we successfully rescued them from Syria and brought them to a temporary safe place. Now they will receive the proper care to recover from their exhausting past at our FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary.
