A UK-based international wildlife charity has invited donations for the relocation of two Bulgarian circus lions from life in a small cage to life in a sanctuary in Africa.

The Born Free Foundation explained that Jora and Black are “Bulgaria’s last circus lions, known to be brothers.”

The two lions have been kept caged in a metal beast wagon, with no running water or shade, in the back yard of an ex-circus trainer's remote mountain lodge near Sofia since a Bulgarian government ban on the use of wild animals in circuses came into force at the beginning of the year. They performed in circus until the summer of 2014, the foundation said.

“The coming summer will endanger these poor lions and every effort must be made to get them out. It is heart-breaking to see them like this and we are hoping that with public support we can move them to a happy and secure life in the African bush,”  said Virginia McKenna, a founder and trustee of Born Free Foundation.

Born Free's sanctuary at Shamwari, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, is already home to lions and leopards rescued from life in captivity.

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