Meet Jupiter, a popular Colombian Lion who got famous while living at Refgio Villa Lorena.

Villa Lorena is a special animal protector.
Four lions, nine Bengal tigers, jaguars, cougars, a crocodile, a speckled bear, and an ostrich are among the animals that Ana Julia Torres looks after.

Jocko chimpanzee, spider monkeys, and hundreds of beautiful and colorful birds are also there. They all have one thing in common according to Ana Julia: ‘They’ve been mistreated’.
‘I have two human children and 800 animal kids, some clawed and some very hairy, but all of them amazing,’ Torres adds.

The refuge includes around 800 animals, but Ana’s favorite was Jupiter the lion. ‘They’re blind, can’t focus, or have lost an eye,’ she explains. Jupiter, understandably, lost hope in humanity and developed a fear of social contact. This phobia disappeared when Ana Julia started taking care of him.

However, the healthy lion was taken to the Los Caimanes zoo in Monteria. Officials took Jupiter away from Anna Julia because she allegedly lacked the necessary documents to keep the lion. Unfortunately, Jupiter quickly lost weight and became unhealthy while at the zoo. To save his life Jupiter was taken to a location closer to Ana Julia.

He was sent to the Cali Zoo for treatment, where veterinarians worked around the clock to care for him.
He had terminal liver cancer and anemia, according to the veterinarians. He was able to see Ana Julia for the last time.

Jupiter lost his battle against cancer in 2020 and passed away, but he will always live in people’s memories.