This week Ruben found his voice. On Monday, there was something different about the sound when Simba and Rey were roaring and sure enough, Ruben was joining in with them! We are trying to get footage of him roaring with the other boys, but so far, by the time we get there, he’s stopped. He’s also announcing himself to everyone throughout the day, and we caught the video here – Ruben’s first real roar caught on camera! Turn the volume up, because for everyone who has followed him from his lonely life in Armenia to South Africa, this is a huge landmark. He is throwing himself into his roaring with such gusto, he wobbles but there’s no falling down for this loud, proud lion!

A life of severe confinement and poor nutrition has left Ruben with severe mobility problems. The 15-year old lion is being treated for spondylitis, inflammation of the spine and joints and may have other underlying issues. Before he left Armenia, he could barely take a couple of paces before his hind legs collapsed and he fell. However, thanks in a large part to this remarkable lion’s determination, since arriving at the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary he has driven himself on and is walking further each day and doing better turning. This video, filmed in the last few days, shows that Ruben still has a long way to go, but the work improving the quality of his life is just beginning. Please note this is not a “Best of Ruben” video, the footage is selected to show supporters who are helping him the full range of his movement, the progress he is making, and the work still to do. This Kunduchi punchbag is pretty heavy, but Ruben carries it off with ease!