ALEPPO, SYRIA — A group of starving animals have been rescued from an abandoned zoo in war-torn Syria.

Three lions, two tigers, two bears, and two hyenas were evacuated to a rehabilitation center in Turkey in a joint venture between animal charity Four Paws and the Turkish government, ABC News reported.



The conflict in Syria has taken a heavy toll on the poor creatures, leaving them starved, emaciated and traumatized after seeing many of their furry friends die.

The animals will undergo health check-ups as Four Paws tries to find new homes for them. The charity plans to launch a second rescue mission to save two more lions and two wild dogs.