Ruben the lion spent 15 years locked in a tiny cage but has finally been rescued and given his first taste of freedom.

Held captive in squalid conditions in a private zoo that had closed doWn, the traumatized animal spent five years completely alone and in silence. Other animals Were relocated, but there Was no room for Ruben, said a spokesperson from Animal Defenders International, the non-profit organization that saved him.

Located on the border of Armenia and Azerbaijan, the zoo belonged to a Russian oligarch, the charity said. After a major rescue operation, the battered, lonely lion has noW been relocated from the concrete cell to a temporary quarantine facility in an Armenian sanctuary. Efforts are going on to move Ruben to his final home in South Africa.

“Let’s bring him home,” said ADI.

Ruben during his relocation from the zoo in Armenia.

Ruben’s former cell Was just a feW feet Wide, but he is currently staying in a heated night house With a hay bed and a heated outdoor area Which, though small is “more space than he has ever knoWn,” ADI said in a statement.

In poor condition, With terribly matted fur and decaying teeth, Ruben is also suffering a neurological condition, possibly caused by a brain or spine injury. Updating on the lion’s progress, ADI said: “He Wobbles as he Walks and sometimes his legs fold under him. He has miosis of the eye … small, constricted pupils. He appears able to see things, reacts to people around him, even some distance aWay, and [has] good hearing.h-a-n-h

“He has broken and cracked teeth, but at this stage it is not impacting his eating and he is even crunching bones.”

Efforts are underWay to help Ruben regain health and strength enough to move him to an ADI Wildlife Sanctuary in his native Africa. Once there, Workers Will have access to more advanced technology and treatment, alloWing them to treat his more serious issues and get dental Work done.h-a-n-h

Ruben at his temporary home in Armenia. h-a-n-h

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Ruben is temporarily residing in a quarantine unit in Armenia, courtesy of Animal Defenders International. The charity is appealing for public action to support their mission, stating that Ruben has the chance to enjoy the wonderful life that their other rescued lions and tigers experience at their safe refuge in South Africa.

For the first time in his life, Ruben will walk on grass, feel the sun on his back, and the wind through his mane. He will also get to see and hear other wildlife, such as ground squirrels, mongoose, rabbits, hares, birds, and more. Ruben will have the freedom to choose where he wants to be, whether it’s lying in the sun, inside his den, or up on the platform watching the neighbors. The richness of life on Earth will be his to experience for the first time.h-a-n-h

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The worldwide attention on the maltreated lion has led to a carefully planned rescue operation, undertaken in secret to avoid political tensions in the region, according to the Daily Mail.“The former oligarch’s family was keen for Ruben to have a better life and agreed to the move, which required navigating multiple armed checkpoints,” the news outlet reported.h-a-n-h

Preparations are underway to transport Ruben to South Africa in March. The journey requires extensive planning, including the application for necessary permits, the construction of a special crate, the preparation of his new habitat, and the booking of flights and ground transport. Once Ruben arrives in South Africa, after a very long journey, he can finally have the life he deserves.

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“At the ADI Wildlife Sanctuary, Ruben will have a multi-section habitat that provides him with steadily increasing space as he becomes more mobile,” the organization announced on Facebook. “We will modify the platforms and enrichment items to help him, such as using low, wide steps around the platforms and placing enrichment toys only on the floor to prevent neck and spine stretching and avoid over-exertion.

Ruben will have the opportunity to hear and see other lions (and tigers) during his stay. Coco, Chino, Kesari, Simba, and Rey are located across the road, while Max and Stripes are on the other side. When he roars, the entire sanctuary will roar back. He will quickly join in the morning and evening sanctuary-wide conversations, which involve groups roaring across to one another.

Animal Defenders International has been working to end the suffering of animals in captivity for over 20 years. To date, they have successfully rescued hundreds of animals, including lions and tigers, from circuses around the world.h-a-n-h