A rescue operation is in motion to bring five African lions to the UK in order to give them a better life.

Rori, a male lion, and four lionesses – two sisters, Amani and Lira, Vanda, and Yuna – are currently living in a shelter in war-torn Ukraine, having been rescued from terrible conditions.

A new home is to be created for them at The Big Cat Sanctuary, in Smarden, near Ashford, a family-run centre dedicated to conserving and protecting endangered big cats.

The animals are all in recovery, with four out of five reportedly used for illegal breeding.

Two of them, Rori and Yuna, have also suffered from serious shell shock after debris fell near their enclosures following a missile attack.

The animals are currently being cared for in Kyiv at Wild Animal Rescue by Natalia Popova and a small support team.

Since the war began, Natalia has dedicated her life to rescuing wild animals from dangerous conditions at the frontline of the war zone.

She said: “It’s a scary time for everyone here in Ukraine.

“These big cats must have been so frightened and confused – some were born during the conflict and know no life other than the constant chaos of war, and some have been directly impacted by shelling.

“I am relieved these lions now have a better life ahead.”

The Big Cat Sanctuary is working alongside IFAW (International Fund for Animal Welfare) to evacuate the lions as quickly as possible.

Cam Whitnall from the park said: “When we heard about the heart-breaking plight of these lions, we knew we had to do something, even though we don’t have the space at the Sanctuary right now.

“We immediately got to work, trying to find out how to make this idea a reality with IFAW.

“It’s a race against time, but we are determined to give them the best possible forever home they can have – that's our mission because they deserve it after all they’ve been through.”

The Sanctuary has launched a fundraiser to help create the new facilities.

Natalia Gozak, wildlife rescue field officer at IFAW says she is “happy” that the cats “are heading to a safer place”.

She added: “Ukraine is now no stranger to tragedy, and the stories of these big cats are no different.

“The Big Cat Sanctuary has offered permanent homes to the remaining lions that IFAW is supporting, including Yuna, who we feared might not be homed due to her psychological issues.”