Photo: Shutterstock A five-year-old lion named Layish has begun a new chapter in South Africa after being transported from Paris to a wildlife sanctuary with the support of Air France Cargo.
The airline announced that its cargo teams coordinated the journey from Paris Charles de Gaulle Airport to South Africa, helping ensure the safe relocation of the rescued big cat.
WATCH RESCUE VIDEO (Source: Paris Match via YouTube):
According to Air France Cargo, the transport required careful planning and coordination to meet animal welfare standards throughout the journey. The lion was flown from France before being transferred to the SanWild Wildlife Sanctuary, where he was released into a protected habitat.
SanWild, located in South Africa, is known for providing refuge to rescued wildlife and offering animals a chance to live in a more natural setting. For Layish, the move represents a significant step toward a life far removed from the conditions in which many captive lions are kept.
In July 2024, Air France Cargo also assisted Tonga Terre d'Accueil in transporting two lions and four servals to South Africa. All animals were rescued from circuses and illegal trafficking and reached the same sanctuary, where they were given "room to thrive in their natural habitat."