<div><p>A dangerous rescue operation in war-torn Iraq saved two lucky survivors this week, as the last animals from the city of Mosul's abandoned zoo were relocated to Jordan.</p><p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/fourpaws.org/">Four Paws International</a>, a charity that specializes in rescuing animals from war zones, spent months trying to get Simba the lion and Lula the bear to safety.</p><p>Living in a private nature park, these two creatures were caught in the crossfire between the Islamic State and the Iraqi military, but now they're recovering in a safe, new home.</p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/1-2.PNG" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/1-2_GH_content_550px.PNG 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/1-2_GH_content_650px.PNG 650w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>Reuters</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/2.PNG" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/2_GH_content_550px.PNG 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/2_GH_content_650px.PNG 650w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>Reuters</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>The zoo's owners abandoned their animals as the fighting got bad, and many either escaped or died waiting to be rescued.</p><p>Only Lula the bear and Simba the lion survived, thanks to their generous neighbors who shared food with them.</p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/5-1.PNG" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/5-1_GH_content_550px.PNG 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/5-1_GH_content_650px.PNG 650w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>Reuters</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>When vets arrived at the park in February, the animals were sick and living in filthy cages.</p><p>After endless piles of paperwork and a 2-week wait at the country's border, the animals were finally flown to Jordan, where they'll be rehabilitated.</p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/4.PNG" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/4_GH_content_550px.PNG 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/4_GH_content_650px.PNG 650w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>Reuters</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p><!-- [invalid-shortcode] --></p><div><figure><amp-img src="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/3.PNG" srcset="https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/3_GH_content_550px.PNG 550w, https://www.shared.com/content/images/2017/04/3_GH_content_650px.PNG 650w" sizes="89vw" title="" alt="" height="9" width="16" layout="responsive"></amp-img><figcaption class="op-vertical-center"><cite>Reuters</cite></figcaption></figure></div><p>While Simba had skin, joint and eye problems, as well as a nasty respiratory infection from waiting at the border, he's gaining weight and recovering slowly.</p><p>Lola reportedly seemed nervous in her new home, but she warmed up after seeing the tasty apples in her enclosure.</p><p>Thankfully these animals are safe and sound now! It's only too bad more couldn't be rescued.</p><p>[H/t: <a href="https://www.aol.com/article/news/2017/04/12/mosul-zoos-last-two-animals-reach-safer-ground-in-jordan/22036936/" target="_blank">AOL</a>]</p><p><strong>Share this rescue story with someone you know!</strong></p></div>