• Lion Erion and bear Flora are now safe in German sanctuaries after a 70-hour journey across seven countries.
• The rescue highlights Albania’s urgent need to tackle illegal wildlife trade and private keeping.
• Evidence suggests more than 60 big cats are still kept in poor conditions in Albania.

Vienna, 15 December 2025 – On 10 December, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS rescued a three-year-old lion, Erion, and two-year-old bear, Flora, from illegal keeping in Northern Albania. The rescue comes after authorities had confiscated them following FOUR PAWS’ intervention. Both animals had been kept as pets in cramped enclosures on a private estate under poor conditions. FOUR PAWS first noticed lion Erion because his owner posted about him on social media.

The transfer, spanning more than 2,000 kilometres across Europe, took four days on the road after the FOUR PAWS team was forced to reroute due to protest roadblocks in Greece. Both animals have arrived safely at their new homes on 13 December: Erion is now at TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary, while Flora has found a new home at BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz. Both sanctuaries are projects run by FOUR PAWS in Germany. Two wildlife veterinarians accompanied the transfer to ensure the animals wellbeing throughout the journey.

The origin of Erion and Flora remains unclear, but FOUR PAWS believes the lion is a victim of illegal trafficking, while the bear was likely poached from the wild.

Wildlife trade – a systemic problem in Albania

The private keeping and trade of wild animals in Albania is a widespread issue driven by weak legislation, legal loopholes and poor enforcement. Current laws permit private ownership of captive-born species, with legislation for exotic species such as big cats remaining vague and allowing them to end up as pets or in restaurants. Investigations by FOUR PAWS and other NGOs between 2020 and 2024 reveal extensive illegal breeding and trade in the country, with evidence suggesting more than 60 big cats are kept in inadequate conditions and many other wild animals remain unregistered under CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora).

“The case of Erion and Flora is not an isolated one – it reflects a much deeper problem. Albania and the Western Balkans have become a hotbed for wildlife crime, where big cats and other exotic species are bred, traded and kept in shocking conditions. They are kept as status symbol pets and shown off as entertainment on social media. We urge the Albanian authorities to introduce a ban on private keeping and strongly enforce it, otherwise these animals will continue to suffer, and the illegal trade will thrive,” said Tiplea.

TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary

TIERART Wild Animal Sanctuary, which is run by FOUR PAWS in Maßweiler, Germany, provides a species-appropriate home for big cats that were rescued from poor conditions in zoos, circuses or in private captivity. TIERART also houses and cares for numerous native wild animals such as foxes, badgers, wild cats, hares or hedgehogs. Many of the native species that are taken in at TIERART receive medical care and are released back into the wild once recovered.

BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz: Western Europe’s largest bear sanctuary

BEAR SANCTUARY Müritz is located in the Mecklenburg Lake District and is home to brown bears rescued by FOUR PAWS from inappropriate keeping conditions. They live in a spacious habitat that meets their natural needs, offers space to hide, and allows for the bears to rediscover their natural behaviours. The bears receive tailored care and enrichment that stimulates species-specific behaviours.