Diego was born on 11 July 2016 and his life began far from the wild landscapes where lions are supposed to live. Instead, he spent much of his young life in private hands, kept alone in a small enclosure, in the Czech Republic, waiting to be sold for canned hunting.  His life story began to change when he was rescued by an animal welfare activist in the Czech Republic, who became his new owner. Diego was temporarily transferred to a private tiger sanctuary in Slovakia while efforts were made to find him a more permanent and species-appropriate home. Although there was some natural vegetation in his enclosure, Diego lacked access to proper enrichment and opportunities to interact with other lions. His environment was devoid of stimulation, which is crucial for a lion's well-being, both mentally and physically. Furthermore, the hygiene standards at the facility were alarming, and the lack of professional care only exacerbated his problems. Unfortunately, the situation became even more urgent when the owner of the facility where Diego was temporarily staying felt overwhelmed by the increasing demands of the facility. Faced with limited resources and time, he decided it was no longer feasible for Diego to remain at the facility, and it became crucial to relocate the lion immediately. This was the moment Diego's future took a turn for the better. FOUR PAWS worked diligently to transfer Diego to a place where he could receive the care and attention he so desperately needed at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands.​ On November 5, 2024, accompanied by the FOUR PAWS team and under the watchful eye of a veterinarian, Diego's journey to a better life began. He is a sensitive, gentle character and he seemed to understand that this journey was for his own good and remained calm and alert. It was a long journey, but thanks to the hard work of the transport team and the FOUR PAWS staff, Diego was able to continue his journey to FELIDA. He finally arrived at the sanctuary on November 6, 2024.

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The 8-year-old lion is generally healthy and has no major health issues despite the trauma he has endured. This is largely due to the dedication of the activist who rescued him and ensured she could provide the best possible care for Diego, given the circumstances. However, the lack of enrichment and space has taken a toll on his mental and emotional health. Therefore, his transfer to FELIDA was an important step for his well-being.

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​​​The proceeds from Diego's portrait are shared with FELIDA Big Cat Sancuary. For more information on this amazing sanctuary, please visit www.felida-bigcatsanctuary.org/nl

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