From “Vemoland” to Safety: Rescued Lioness Reaches Sanctuary
Lioness Confiscated from Retired Czech MMA Fighter and Brought to FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary
- Czech authorities initiated the confiscation of five-year-old lioness Zora after determining that she was being kept illegally without the required documentation by former MMA fighter Karlos Vémola
- Following a temporary stay at Zoo Liberec, Zora has today safely arrived at FOUR PAWS’ FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands, where she will receive a lifelong, species-appropriate care
- The lioness is severely overweight and has been declawed, leaving her with significant long-term health and welfare issues
- The rescue marks another important milestone in the long-standing cooperation between FOUR PAWS and Czech authorities in addressing the illegal keeping and trade of big cats in the country
Prague/Vienna, 28 July 2026 - In yet another big cat rescue linked to retired MMA fighter Karlos Vémola, the extent of animal suffering was deeply disturbing. Zora (formerly known as Elsa), a five-year-old lioness whose paws had been declawed, was confiscated in June 2026 after authorities found that Vémola was missing legal permits to have her. Following a temporary stay at Zoo Liberec, global animal welfare organisation FOUR PAWS has transferred her to its FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary in the Netherlands on 28 July 2026, where she will finally receive the species-appropriate care she deserves. FOUR PAWS will continue to advocate for a ban on the private keeping and breeding of big cats across Europe.
Over the coming days, the lioness will stay in a separate indoor enclosure, allowing her to gradually adjust to her new surroundings at her own pace. Her current obesity and the long-term challenges resulting from her declawing, both will require close monitoring and specialised care by the experienced sanctuary team.
Another successful cross-border cooperation
Zora’s case is yet another example of the successful cooperation between Czech authorities and FOUR PAWS. Last year, lion cub Mero was rescued from illegal private keeping, while in 2023 tigress Ramba — who had also been declawed — was confiscated from the same owner, Karlos Vémola, due to missing legal and veterinary permits. Sadly, these are not isolated cases. Across Europe, many big cats suffer a similar fate, living as exotic pets in unsuitable conditions.
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FOUR PAWS is the global animal welfare organisation for animals under direct human influence, which reveals suffering, rescues animals in need and protects them. Founded in 1988 in Vienna by Heli Dungler and friends, the organisation advocates for a world where humans treat animals with respect, empathy and understanding. The sustainable campaigns and projects of FOUR PAWS focus on companion animals including stray dogs and cats, farm animals and wild animals – such as bears, big cats and orangutans – kept in inappropriate conditions as well as in disaster and conflict zones. With offices in Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cambodia, France, Germany, Kosovo, the Netherlands, Switzerland, South Africa, Thailand, Ukraine, the UK, the USA and Vietnam as well as 13 wild animal sanctuaries and cooperation projects across the globe, FOUR PAWS provides rapid help and long-term solutions. www.four-paws.org