In 2008, the GSPCA spent three months looking after two lion cubs, named Sarnia and Marina.
Once living in poor health in Romania, the pair were rescued by the Born Free Foundation and brought to Guernsey to recover, before moving to the Shamwari Game Reserve in South Africa.
Sarnia died after developing peritonitis in 2010, but Marina lived happily in South Africa for almost 10 years before being put to sleep on 24 August, due to complications with an impacted intestine.
Jayne Le Cras, who was operations manager for the GSPCA at the time, said Marina had led a happy life in the reserve and had befriended a male lion named Brutus.
‘My final visit to South Africa was in November 2013,’ she said.
‘By this time Marina had formed a wonderful relationship with Brutus, one described to me as a true love story, full of
playfulness, understanding, care and compassion – though she always wore the trousers.
‘She soon demonstrated that by making sure that Brutus was not allowed to come anywhere near me.
‘The recognition was truly wonderful, and very emotional.
‘At that time she weighed 160 kilos and was in fantastic condition.
‘Life was very good for both Marina and Brutus.
‘Sadly, last month, she became seriously unwell, and although the excellent team at Shamwari did everything they could for her, Marina sadly passed away on Friday 24 August.’
Guernsey was chosen to care for the animals as they had the correct facilities needed and Mrs Le Cras had previous experience with exotic animals.
GSPCA worker Lorna Prince, who cared for the lions during their stay here, said she was proud to have helped them.
‘They were such beautiful animals and knowing we were helping them move from a miserable future in a circus in Romania to the wilds of Shamwari in Africa was amazing,’ she said.
‘They had very individual personalities and were very cheeky over-grown kittens in essence.
‘They were given lots of enrichment items in their run – logs, ropes, buoys – but as they became older and their hunting instincts kicked in, I think the human carers were the best fun for them, as many a bottom was bitten while clearing up their scat.
‘It is very sad that Marina has passed, she was in expert hands and everything was done to help her by the amazing people in Shamwari, but it’s a real comfort to know that for nearly 10 years she was able to be a strong beautiful lioness and not just a source of entertainment.’
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