Photo credit: Animals Lebanon

Wildlife trafficking is one of the world’s most damaging and lucrative criminal enterprises. Tackling it – and protecting animals already affected – depends on strong collaboration across borders and sectors.

This Earth Day, The Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife programme are highlighting a rescue that demonstrates what collective action can achieve. Through close cooperation between partners, seven lions, a jaguar, a tiger and a bear were relocated to specialist sanctuaries where they can now recover and thrive.

The operation involved moving 10 large animals in specially designed crates weighing a total of four tonnes. Coordinating permits and long‑haul transport across three continents required careful planning, trusted relationships and constant communication.

Animals Lebanon rescued these animals and found them sanctuary, while Qatar Airways Cargo provided free air cargo transport through their WeQare: Rewild The Planet programme. This collaboration ensured the animals’ safe passage and long‑term care.

The Royal Foundation’s United for Wildlife programme brings partners together to make repatriations like these possible, ensuring animals caught up in the illegal wildlife trade find sanctuary.

This rescue is a clear reminder of what is possible when organisations work together – even in the most challenging of circumstances.