Malnourished Lions With Bulging Ribs, Flaccid Skin Brought Back to Their Strength at Sudan Sanctuary

The impetus for Bashir's demise was a deteriorating economic crisis that drove the currency to plummet and caused frequent shortages of food and petrol.

In a successful push for debt relief and foreign assistance, the transitional administration has adopted hard, quick changes that have been closely scrutinized by the International Monetary Fund.

Kandaka the lioness was formerly ill and malnourished in Sudan's capital's decrepit zoo, but due to wildlife enthusiasts, she now flourishes in a reserve as her kids develop.

The lioness' comeback to Sudan sanctuary

(Photo : ASHRAF SHAZLY/AFP via Getty Images)

Kandaka was one of five lions at Khartoum's Al-Qurashi zoo suffering from malnutrition and sickness, with visible bulging ribs and flaccid skin, kept in gloomy cages with rusted bars.

Sudan's economic problems were exacerbated as a result of months-long protests in 2019 that culminated in the ouster of the previous ruler Omar al-Bashir.

The animals' misery came to the public's notice two years ago after an internet campaign drove veterinarians, conservationists, and animal lovers from all around the world to come to their rescue.

Kandaka, along with the two other surviving lions, was relocated to the Al-Bageir sanctuary, as per France 24.

Their health has substantially improved since then, according to Othman Salih, who established the reserve in January 2021.

The property, approximately an hour away south of Khartoum, for four hectares, equivalent to the size of six football fields.

Kandaka, the name of Sudan's ancient Nubian rulers, was given to the five-year-old lioness as a tribute to her recovery.

Word has it that it has come to be linked with the women who played an important role in the demonstrations that led to the deposition of Bashir.

However, for many, the reserves continue to be a source of optimism.

"I always go there often," said volunteer Moataz Kamal, who resides in Omdurman, the capital's twin city.

He cited the survivability of a male lion from the eastern city of Port Sudan after years of famine and deteriorating health.

For enduring such adversity, the lion was called Mansour, which translates to "victory."

The horrendous Sudan crisis last 2019

Sudan, one of the poorest places, has seen its economy plummet as a result of decades of international condemnation and mismanagement under Bashir.

Many Sudanese citizens are starving, according to Salih. As a result, all help is directed toward the people. It comes as no surprise.

However, Salih claims that the government and private corporations have done nothing to help the reserve.

Sudan has been in the grip of political turmoil since the toppling of long-serving president Omar al-Bashir in April, as per BBC News.

The army and the pro-democracy party have been at odds for power, resulting in enormous rallies and fatalities.

The security forces employed brutal force to bolster the generals' position. In the worst-case scenario, dozens of victims were murdered and some of their bodies were dumped into the Nile during a crackdown on protestors in Khartoum on June 3rd.

The demonstrators have received support from the majority of African and Western countries. However, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates are viewed as junta friends.

They may be concerned that the Sudanese demonstrations would inspire similar occurrences in their own nations.

Mohamed Hamdan Dagolo, also known as Hemeti, the TMC's vice-president, traveled to Saudi Arabia in June to meet Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman, vowing to stand with the kingdom against threats and to continue deploying Sudanese troops to aid the Saudi-led coalition in Yemen.