Missing Lion Cub Sold as Pet at Roadside Zoo Gets a Happy Ending

A young male African lion named Kiros has a new beginning, and it's his family in a renowned habitat.

The Roadside Zoo Rescue Operation

Kiros' story began when authorities rescued nine lions, including Kiros' parents, Kim and Carl. During that rescue operation -- from a roadside zoo in Quebec -- authorities learned that Kiros, a cub, had gone missing. Authorities later learned Kiros had been sold for profit as a pet.

Kim and Carl were eventually transferred to The Wildcat Sanctuary in Minnesota. But the search for Kiros (pronounced kee-rose, meaning "Lord") continued.

According to The Wildcat Sanctuary, months went by before they were finally contacted about a young lion related to Kim and Carl who needed a permanent home. The sanctuary confirmed Kiros was, in fact, Kim and Carl's long-lost son, thanks to photos and records.

Where Was Kiros This Entire Time?

It turns out that Kiros had previously been seized as a cub and placed at an accredited zoo for safe care. That zoo cared for Kiros for 18 months and named him Kiros. The Wildcat Sanctuary eventually sorted out the international permits needed to transfer him 2,280 miles to Minnesota, where he was reunited with his parents.

"From the moment we heard about the missing cub, we hoped we might one day find him," said Tammy Thies, founder and executive director of The Wildcat Sanctuary. "To discover that Kiros not only survived but could come to the sanctuary where his parents now live is incredibly powerful. Stories like this remind us why rescue work matters."

Staff at The Wildcat Sanctuary hope Kiros may one day form a pride with other rescued lions, including young rescued cub Mango, who was also saved from the same roadside zoo operation.

"This is a new beginning for Kiros," Thies said. "After everything he’s been through, he can now relax at his forever home."

Sanctuary Is Closed to the Public But ...

...those who want to follow Kiros' journey can do so by visiting the sanctuary's social media channels, including Instagram, YouTube, and Facebook, where there's a 10-minute video of Kiros' introduction to the snow-heavy habitat, or consider donating to support Kiros.

The video, posted on Friday, captioned the video, "After last night's arrival [at] The Wildcat Sanctuary, rescued lion Kiros is ready to take his FIRST steps into his free-roaming habitat!"