Two lion cubs, Max and Mona, were found in poor conditions inside a Gaza refugee camp. After being rescued by animal activists, they were photographed curled up together, a touching moment that shows the bond between the brother and sister as they adjust to their new life in Jordan.
The cubs were originally kept as pets by a Palestinian man, Saad Aldeen Al-Jamal, in his small flat, where they played with his six grandchildren.
However, they have now been moved to a rescue center in Jordan. Recent images highlight their closeness as they nap side by side.
Previously housed at the Rafah Zoo, the cubs were sold to Al-Jamal for £6,000 after the zoo suffered severe damage during airstrikes. At just two months old, they were taken to live with Al-Jamal’s family.
Despite their best efforts to care for the cubs, the animals soon outgrew the space, becoming a safety risk and suffering from illnesses due to the unsuitable environment.
Veterinarian Dr. Amir Khalil, working with the animal welfare group Four Paws, led the effort to rescue the cubs.
Health checks revealed that their skin was damaged, and Mona had a swollen area on the back of her head, likely caused by a stroke.
Al-Jamal, who had long dreamed of owning a lion, became attached to the cubs and initially planned to lease them to parks and resorts to cover the costs of their care as they grew. However, the rapidly worsening situation made it clear that the cubs needed professional help.
The Four Paws team embarked on a difficult journey from Jordan, crossing into Gaza through Israel, despite facing numerous challenges, including an initial refusal to enter the region. After lengthy negotiations, they were granted access by Hamas, the ruling authority in Gaza.
Al-Jamal was reluctant to give up the cubs but ultimately understood it was for their well-being.
Upon their arrival in Jordan, the cubs were renamed Salam and Shalom. Medical examinations revealed both were suffering from skin diseases, and Shalom had noticeable swelling on her head, possibly from an injury.
The cubs are now receiving treatment at the New Hope Center in Jordan and will eventually move to their permanent home at the Al-Ma’wa Wildlife Sanctuary later this year.
Dr. Khalil expressed understanding of Al-Jamal’s emotional connection to the animals but emphasized that a small apartment is no place for wild creatures. The risk they posed to the family and the community became too great to ignore.
The issue of exotic animal smuggling remains a serious concern in Gaza, with around 40 big cats in the region.
It is believed that Salam and Shalom’s parents were smuggled into Rafah Zoo through tunnels from Egypt.
Four Paws has been actively rescuing animals from dangerous situations in Gaza, including a 2014 mission that saved three lions from the Al-Bisan Zoo and an April operation that provided medical care to animals at Khan Younis Zoo.
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