Lions at EARS

Meet Snarf – The Young and Playful Prince

Snarf is a 2½-year-old lion who lives at EARS – Endangered Animal Rescue Sanctuary. While smaller than some of the lions who came before him, Snarf has a charm all his own — full of energy, curiosity, and youthful spirit.

Currently, Snarf is looking for a young female companion to share his space with, as lions are social animals who thrive when they have someone to live with.

At EARS, we’re constantly providing the best care and enrichment possible to ensure our amazing — yet endangered — animals enjoy happy, healthy lives. Snarf spends his days playing, exploring, and growing into his royal nature under the warm Florida sun, supported by our dedicated staff and volunteers.

The Lion’s Story in Captivity

Lions (Panthera leo) are among the most recognized big cats in the world. In the wild, they roam grasslands and savannas, living in social groups called prides. Sadly, in captivity, lions are often kept in isolation or in cramped enclosures that fail to meet their social and physical needs.

Many lions in sanctuaries today were:

Rescued from roadside zoos or entertainment facilities
Surrendered by private owners who could not meet their care requirements
Saved from the exotic pet trade or breeding operations
Retired from photo or cub-petting businesses

EARS exists to give these animals a true sanctuary —a place where they are not sold but can live out their lives with other lions without the threat of humans killing them for that trophy.

About Lions in the Wild

Scientific name: Panthera leo
Range: Once widespread across Africa, Europe, and Asia — now mostly in sub-Saharan Africa, with one small population in India
Size: Males average 330–500 lbs, with manes that vary in color from blond to black

Lifespan in the wild: 10–14 years; in sanctuary care, lions can live longer with proper medical attention

Lions are the only truly social big cats, living in prides that typically include related females, their cubs, and a coalition of males. In the wild, they hunt cooperatively and defend shared territories.