Romeo: The sweet and sensitive white Lion

Meet Romeo, a white lion known for his sweet and sensitive demeanour. With a gentle nature and a sharp awareness of his surroundings, Romeo’s behaviour reflects his unique upbringing—having been hand-raised. His sensitivity extends to his choice of companions, as he carefully observes and selects his friends among the neighbouring enclosures. 

One of his favourite pastimes is joining his neighbour, Lubumbashi, in roaring sessions, but only after ensuring he’s comfortable with the company. When it comes to enrichment, Romeo has a particular fondness for cinnamon and blueberry scents, which never fail to brighten his day. Because of his delicate pigmentation, Romeo often seeks refuge in the shade, protecting his sensitive skin from the sun. It’s in this tranquil sanctuary of LIONSROCK that Romeo has truly found his peace. 

A life of exploitation  

Born in France in July 2019, Romeo was almost immediately thrust into a life of exploitation. Forced to perform in a circus and kept in a tiny cage inside a truck when he was not performing, Romeo’s life was the furthest from species-appropriate imaginable. When his owner went bankrupt, Romeo and the other animals in their ownership were neglected and fed rotting meat, which lead to malnutrition and infections.  

Only five of the original 15 lions survived, with two dying of starvation by the time animal rescue groups were able to intervene in 2023. Romeo was in very bad shape at the time of his rescue, underweight and riddled with infections. He received special care from his rescuers at Natuurhulpcentrum until his transfer to LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary in 2024.  

Hope for a better future 

As a white lion, Romeo likely originated from inbreeding, a cruel practice used by some breeders to produce the rare white coat that attracts more visitors and sells for higher prices. Inbreeding often leaves white lions with lifelong health complications. Romeo's overly friendly demeanour with humans also indicates he may have been hand-raised, which can lead to additional long-term behavioural and health implications.  

At LIONSROCK Big Cat Sanctuary, Romeo is now receiving the nutrition and lifelong care that he needs. Despite initially being stressed by his long journey, Romeo is beginning to unwind and feel comfortable in his spacious new home and already has his favourite spots. And it’s no wonder that he heartily enjoys his food!  

Our hope is to socialise Romeo with his own Juliet – a lioness named Nala who currently lives in the enclosure next to his and was also rescued from a French circus. This will likely be a long process, but companionship is an important aspect of a lion’s life since they are highly social animals. Keep a look out for updates on their (hopefully) budding romance!