For years Bobby was locked up in a small cage with a concrete floor in Europe’s Worst Zoo. With no protection from the elements, no medical or species appropriate care, no grass under his paws or enrichment - he lives a hopeless existence. In October 2018, a huge FOUR PAWS rescue mission changed everything, and alongside the other wild animals in the zoo, Bobby was given a second chance. 

Due to the horrible conditions, Bobby was suffering from an infected wound, infested with maggots. Bobby also has kidney issues which needs intensive care and life-long medication. Lucky for him he can receive all of this at his home at our FELIDA Big Cat Centre.

After years of abuse, Bobby's recovery has not been easy. Although, mentally, he has made great improvement to heal from his previous life traumas.

He was rescued alongside other lions Lenci and Zhaku.

Only two months after he arrived at FELIDA, and for the first time felt sand and grass under his paws and the sun on his fur, we have to say goodbye to beautiful Zhaku, much too early. Rescued with Lenci and Bobby, Zhaku's kidneys were damaged too badly. Kidney failure was already diagnosed in Albania and reconfirmed during the last medical check, but we still hoped that we could give Zhaku a good time with medication. This friendly and impressive lion, who lived for years in hell on earth, is no longer with us. Our hearts are broken for Zahku, but we are certain he knew love and comfort in his last days.

Bobby’s favourite hobby is lying down in his hammock - and resting in his hammock - and relaxing - and sleeping! 

This handsome fellow is not a very playful or active lion. After his morning routine - where he does a ‘check round’ through his enclosure, marks his territory and roars along in the ‘lion choir’ with Lenci, Ivan-Asen, Masoud and Terez - he jumps in his hammock where he prefers to stay almost all day. Our animal caretakers at our FELIDA Big Cat Centre have given him a range of enrichment - however, enrichment just isn't his cup of tea!

However, he does enjoy the daily clicker training with his caretakers - we can tell Bobby is very intelligent and a fast learner. But other than that, he just prefers to be as lazy as possible. 

Beautiful Bobby is doing really well. While not that long ago he preferred to spend the entire day in his hammock, he is getting more active and is having more energy lately. While he never liked to play with any form of enrichment, he is getting more and more interested in playing. Especially the cooling popsicles are his favourite, he can’t get enough of them! Although he still loves his hammock, he is now also willing to lie down on one of his other platforms. 

All this positive behaviour indicates that Bobby is feeling well, confident and at home. As Bobby has kidney failure, we will always monitor him closely, but for the team at FELIDA Big Cat Sanctuary, it's a blast to see him like this!