Two lions born in Bulgaria who were once part of a circus here have already undertaken a long journey to Africa.

Black and Jora, both 8 years old, were part of a circus that once performed all around Eastern Europe and Turkey.

Last year, however, was also when they took part in their last show, to be later found by The Born Free Foundation, a wildlife charity, discovered them in a metal wagon near the capital Sofia. A former animal trainer looked after them, under conditions which the charity says were deplorable.

Jora and Black, who spent the past months in the zoo of the town of Stara Zagora, already departed on Friday to London Heathrow, from where they will fly to Johannesburg in South Africa. Shamwari, a natural reserve in South Africa, will be the lions' new home.

The animals' relocation was organized by experts working with Bulgaria's Environment Ministry, but it was the Born Free Foundation that set aside the expenses for their journey.

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