The day is finally here. Lonely lion Ruben starts his journey from Armenia to South Africa tomorrow (August 22) and a new life at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary. Ruben was in a private zoo that closed and he was left behind when the other animals were relocated. He has not heard another lion roar for six years – that will change when Ruben reaches Africa!

Ruben will be sedated by Dr Harut Hovhannisyan at the FPWC bear sanctuary, loaded into his travel crate and driven to the airport. To protect Ruben from overheating in his travel crate, we have secured a reduced waiting time at the airport of four hours instead of eight. He will be flying in a pressurized hold, temperature-controlled at 22 degrees. At Doha he will be moved between flights in an air-conditioned truck. ADI’s Jan and Tim will be travelling as passengers on the flights and will not have access to Ruben but will be in contact with ground team in Doha. The journey and Ruben’s care have been meticulously planned with Qatar Airways, who donated the flight as part of their WeQare charity scheme. Ruben will reach South Africa at 09.55AM on Wednesday 23 and will be driven to ADIWS.

THIS IS JUST THE START OF HIS NEW LIFE.

Ruben will need years of care and intense veterinary treatment – is there anything you can do to help? The cost of a coffee – or perhaps a really special contribution to #HelpRubenRoar. Donate US | Donate UK

Adopt Ruben US $ | Adopt Ruben UK £

FOLLOW RUBEN’S JOURNEY

Join us on Facebook for live coverage throughout Ruben’s journey. We will try to update at each stage of this operation but cannot give exact times when we will do so. Aside from take offs and landings, the following times are all approximate.

22 AUGUST

7am (5am SA; 4am UK; 11pm 21st EST; 8pm 21st PST) final checks on Ruben’s travel crate and load it onto the truck.

11am (9am SA; 8am UK; 3am EST; midnight PST). Sedate and load Ruben.

2pm (midday SA; 11am UK; 6am EST; 3am PST) Depart for airport.

5pm (3pm SA; 2pm UK; 11am EST; 6am PST) Arrive Yerevan airport.

10pm (8pm SA; 7pm UK; 2pm EST; 11am PST) Ruben’s flight takes off.

11.55pm (10.55pm SA; 9.55pm UK; 3.55pm EST; 1.55pm PST) Ruben lands in Doha.

23 AUGUST

2.15am (1.15am SA; 00.15am UK; 7.15pm EST; 4.15pm PST) leave Doha

9.55am (8.55am UK; 3.55am EST; 00.55am PST) Ruben lands in South Africa.

3pm (2pm UK; 9am EST; 6am PST) estimated arrival at ADIWS

As supporters know, Ruben has potential neurological and spinal issues and it is likely we will release him initially into his house and give him time to settle and get more stable on his legs. When we release him into his habitat will depend on how he is, the weather or if it is getting dark.

To support Ruben as he starts his new life in Africa: Donate US | Donate UK

Adopt Ruben US $ | Adopt Ruben UK £