Lions, tigers, and brown bears inside the former Luján Zoo near Buenos Aires received urgent medical help this week after staying for many years in small and unsafe cages. The zoo closed in 2020 because of safety problems, and the animals remained in the area with little food and no steady care. A new report from Four Paws, an international animal welfare group, showed that more than half of the big cats had died from sickness, injuries, and stress. The group said some animals lived in very tight spaces, while others stayed together in mixed groups that would never happen in nature. The situation became a major concern for officials, leading to an agreement that allowed Four Paws to manage the remaining animals and prepare them for transfer to foreign sanctuaries. Experts described the conditions as harrowing, and the rescue effort as colossal because of the number of animals involved and the level of harm recorded.

Veterinarians entered the site to check each animal and provide medicine such as antibiotics and nutrients. Some animals needed surgery because of infections and damaged teeth from biting metal bars. Four Paws shared that the mission required a systematic plan to handle sedation, transport, and treatment. Specialists said the rescue showed the severity of keeping wild animals in crowded places. Officials added that the operation marked a pivotal step toward improving wildlife care in Argentina.