Jora and Black, the two Bulgarian circus lions awaiting relocation to a sanctuary in Africa by The Born Free Foundation, have been moved to a local zoo from their confinement in a small cage near Sofia.

The zoo in Stara Zagora, in southern Bulgaria, will take care of the two lions until the middle of September when they are to be sent to a sanctuary at Shamwari, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa, under a project of the UK-based international wildlife charity, the municipal council in Stara Zagora said in a statement.

The zoo is providing a temporary shelter for the two two eight-year old lions, while the Born Free Foundation is footing their food bill, the zoo manager Radoslav Mihailov explained, according to the statement. The animals are feeling well and relaxed and have already adapted to their new home.

Jora and Black were born in Razgrad, in northeastern Bulgaria. They performed in circus until the summer of last year. After a Bulgarian government ban on the use of wild animals in circuses came into force at the beginning of this year, the two lions were moved to a metal beast wagon, with no running water or shade, in the back yard of an ex-circus trainer's mountain lodge near Sofia.

The Born Free Foundation announced earlier this month that it is accepting donations for the relocation of the two lions to its sanctuary at Shamwari, which is already home to lions and leopards rescued from life in captivity.

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