A Eurasian lynx rescued from the front line of war-torn Ukraine has taken her first steps onto grass after being moved into a new purpose-built sanctuary in Kent.
Ursa the lynx was saved from Russian bombardment and brought to the UK. She now lives at The Big Cat Sanctuary in Headcorn, where she walked on soft turf inside her permanent enclosure.
New facilities opened
The emotional moment marked the official opening of the Premier Coatings Small Cat Rescue Centre and the Rusty-Spotted Cat Conservation Centre. The state-of-the-art facilities were unveiled at a ribbon-cutting event led by Managing Director Cam Whitnall.
Rescued from illegal private ownership in Ukraine in early 2023, Ursa spent nearly three years living in a 4x4 converted horse stable near Kyiv under constant threat of Russian bombardment. In January 2026, the sanctuary launched a £100,000 emergency campaign, raising £134,152 to fund her evacuation and a purpose-built enclosure. Following a 1,400-mile cross-border journey led by Mr Whitnall, Ursa arrived in Kent in February. She was released into her new home on July 23.
Other rescued cats
The Small Cat Rescue Centre also houses Rhys, another Eurasian lynx, Boson the Fishing cat, and Blob the Bobcat. These cats were rescued from the now-closed Cat Survival Trust in Hertfordshire during a joint rescue mission in January 2025 that saved 23 felines from severe neglect. Blob was saved through the direct personal intervention of Mr Whitnall.
“While larger apex predators often dominate the headlines, these smaller cats face severe threats in the wild from habitat loss and human encroachment. By combining world-class welfare with cutting-edge technology, we are securing a sustainable future population,” Mr Whitnall said.
Conservation centre
The Rusty-Spotted Cat Conservation Centre is now the UK's largest habitat dedicated to the world's smallest wild cat species. Fully grown, these nocturnal predators weigh as little as 0.9 kg, about the size of a red squirrel. Designed to mimic native environments in India, Sri Lanka, and Nepal, the complex currently houses resident male Kuda, with a female scheduled to arrive later this year to spearhead a breeding programme.
Members of the public can see both new facilities during the sanctuary’s Big Cat Fest from July 29 to August 2 and August 5 to August 9.
