After a three-day journey from Amarillo, a group of lions, tigers and lemurs are beginning a new chapter in Wylie — trading a private facility for spacious enclosures, regular veterinary care and a permanent home at In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center.

The Wylie-based nonprofit transported four lions — Kumba, Eli, Sabba and Sky — three tigers — Bunny, Raja and Shilo — and 10 lemurs to its sanctuary at 3430 Skyview Drive in a three-day effort involving staff and volunteers.

The transfer comes after more than a decade of communication between In-Sync and the Amarillo facility, including a previous rescue of a tiger about seven years ago. A volunteer who frequently traveled to Amarillo to visit family helped maintain that connection, regularly visiting one of the lions, Kumba, and staying in contact with the facility. In recent months, discussions between founder Vicky Keahey and the owner continued by phone and email, ultimately leading to the transfer.

Despite the passage of the federal Big Cat Public Safety Act in 2022, staff said the original owner was “grandfathered in” because the facility had been in operation for many years.

“The current owner took over the facility when his grandparents (the previous owners) were killed in a private aircraft accident,” said In-Sync. “To honor his grandfather, he took over the facility for seven years but recently decided In-Sync would be able to better provide for them.”

A team of seven made the trip to Amarillo with a transport trailer and two vans Saturday, March 28, spent Sunday loading the animals and drove back that night, arriving about 1:30 a.m. Monday. Four of the seven big cats required sedation before they could be safely loaded into transport cages.

Later Monday, the animals were placed in their new enclosures, where staff are now focused on a smooth transition.

“We have to be very respectful of their space,” staff said. “Let them hide if they want to hide and get used to their surroundings on their own time.”

While the lions and tigers were generally well-fed, staff noted some medical concerns that are now being addressed. The lemurs arrived with more significant health issues and are currently being treated in the organization’s veterinary clinic.

The sanctuary said it had adequate space to accommodate the new arrivals, including keeping three sibling lions together. Staff also plan to gradually reintroduce two tigers that had previously lived together.

The addition of seven large cats is expected to increase food costs by about $2,000 per month, along with additional expenses for medications, vaccinations and diagnostic testing.

Founded in 2000 by Vicky Keahey, a former veterinary technician, In-Sync relies entirely on donations, grants and sponsorships to fund its operations. The sanctuary is home to more than 90 animals, including both exotic and domestic species, and has handled multiple large-scale rescues in recent years.

Keahey said this effort carried special significance due to the long-standing connection with the Amarillo facility.

“This one is especially meaningful—watching Kumba grow from afar and now finally having him here is something we’ll never take for granted,” she said.

To donate, visit insyncexotics.org