The last three of five lions in a shelter in war-torn Ukraine have been rescued by a Kent-based animal sanctuary.

The three lionesses have been transported 1,300 miles (2,090 km) across three countries to temporary safety in Belgium.

Three-year-old Yuna, who has shell shock, arrived at the Big Cat Sanctuary in Smarden on 17 August.

Rori, a male lion who is also in Belgium, will join her when a specially-built enclosure is completed in November.

The three lionesses were all collected from the shelter in Kyiv on Wednesday.

Vanda, about one year old, was “kept as a pet in a flat with no access to sunlight, or outside area and was severely malnourished”, according to a sanctuary spokesperson.

The sisters Amani and Lira, who were rescued together, were “assumed to have been illegally bred for photo exploitation purposes”, they said.

All three will remain in Belgium, with Rori, until their permanent home in Kent is completed.

A spokesperson for the Big Cat Sanctuary said: “We are continuing to appeal for public support to reach our £500,000 fundraising goal to ensure the lions receive the care and home they deserve.”

The sanctuary said it had already received £400,000 in donations.

Cam Whitnall, the project lead, said: “Now that they’re safe, our focus is on completing the lion rescue centre and bringing them all to their forever home at the sanctuary very soon.”