Zookeepers in Germany are “sad” to see this adorable lion cub leave for a permanent home in Spain after it was found in a box at an accident site on the autobahn.
The cub, nicknamed Lea, has been cared for at the Reptilium Terrarium and Desert Zoo in the town of Landau in the western German state of Rhineland-Palatinate for the last three weeks.
The cub was found by chance in a transportation box after a crash on the autobahn.
When she was just seven weeks old, Lea was given minced beef in cow’s milk to help her build her strength.
The little lion has received specialist care from zoo director Uwe Wunschel and his staff, and he admits it will be hard to see Lea leave.
He lovingly nursed the cub to full health for over three weeks.
Wunschel told the newspaper Bild: “I am a little sad, to be honest, but I know she will be looked after well in her new home and has two other cubs to play with.”
Lea the lion will travel to a private zoo in the Spanish city of Barcelona this week where she will join other lions her own age.
The cub had a large cuddly toy to keep her company in the German zoo, but she recently ripped up the stuffed animal, according to Wunschel.
He told Bild: “She already has incredible strength. She bit my ear and scratched my neck while cuddling. In the last few weeks, she has gained over five kilogrammes in weight and eats lots of beef goulash.”
Meanwhile, teary zoo workers are preparing to say farewell to their cute temporary guest.
Lion baby Lea taken under care from the largest reptile zoo in Germany after she was found in the trailer of a van involved in a highway crash 
Lion baby Lea taken under care from the largest reptile zoo in Germany after she was found in the trailer of a van involved in a highway crash
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Story By: Lee Bullen, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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