Rescuing animals amid the wars

A South African living in Ukraine describes how conflicts affect his work caring for wildlife.

- By Angela Daniels

Most people try to get as far away from conflict and war as possible.

Not South African Lionel de Lange, who often finds himself in danger because of his compassion for vulnerable animals.

De Lange, a Gqeberha native now living in Ukraine, was recently stranded in Israel as Iran's drone attacks forced the airports to close. This delayed his return to Ukraine, where he oversees the care of big cats and other rescued wildlife - and more recently, hungry pets — as the director of the animal care organisation Warriors of Wildlife.

He had arrived in Israel to meet the Israel Nature and Parks Authority, trying to arrange refuge for five lion cubs confiscated from smugglers. The plan was disrupted by the escalation of the conflict with Iran.