Present Mission, 2009

It wept, the house wept, day and night,
It whispered with the spiders, ajar,
It fell apart, with its darkened eyes,

And now, abruptly, we return it to life,
We settle in, and it does not recognize us,
It has to bloom and has forgotten how.
Pablo Neruda

Our original mission, 2003, was to improve the lives of the animals in the Buhusi Zoo; to bring support, training, medical care and food while including the community in this endeavor. In 2007 when the Zoo closed (unable to fulfill the EU standards) it fell on us to rehome the animals that were left to save them them from starvation or euthanization, With generous help from many people and organizations (including WSPA, and Born Free) our animals were rehomed. Four lions are now flourishing in Africa and our five bears are living well in a Bear Refuge in Brasov.

Now, in 2009, our mission continues with yearly support for our beloved two disabled lions who were given refuge by Pantera Sanctuary in Holland. Lion's Roar is responsible for their food, medical care and other needs. Our last big concern are two female dingos who were rescued temporarily with great kindness by Pantera, but do not have a proper home. We are working to return them to Australia but are responsible in the meantime for their food and medical care.

Lion's Roar is made up of a small and dedicated team of partners from four countries with many friends. It is our intention to continue to advocate for the lives of animals in captivity in Romania, many zoos are in need of education and support, and continue to make sure that the animals we saved will flourish.

the entrance when we first saw it

When I first saw the zoo in 2002, told about it by a Roma woman and Leslie Hawke, director of Ovidiu Rom, I was deeply distressed by the state of the animals. An uncanny silence hung over the Park, and as I walked, cage to cage, animals moved to the bars and stared out listlessly. I saw a little girl watching a large lion nearly the size of his concrete Enclosure. The misery on her face reflected the sadness of the lion. I thought, if someone improved the life of the animals, the children would be happy.
Laura Simms

the new entrance

In 2006, the Vice Mayor of Buhusi repaired the ruined entrance so that children entering and leaving the zoo would be safe. He was a great ally to us in the small city and made an effort to help us as best as he could. We are very grateful for all those in the city of Buhusi who cared for the animals and welcomed us.

We also want to thank Ovidiu Rom, an educational project for Roma Mothers and Children who supported our project with a summer camp and a yearlong Sunday Brunch with the Animals that brought the community into the zoo for the first time in years.