The Warriors Team
Lionel de Lange
Founder & Director
All my life I have loved animals but in 2014 while living Ukraine, our local zoo in Nikolaev was struggling to feed the animals. I remembered the work of Lawrence Anthony in Iraq and I decided to establish LAEO Ukraine and after 5 years of growing from strength to strength I founded Warriors of Wildlife – WOW. I hate animal abuse and to see them suffering in cages or being used for entertainment. No animal asks to be abused, neglected or used for self-gain or profit. I have made a promise to myself and the animals I come across that I will fight for them as long as I still breathe. My day to day roles are varied, from investigating abuse reports to planning rescues and relocations and help with the operations at our new sanctuary in South Africa.
Anya Masyach
Founder & Director
2016, Lionel invited me to Kherson in Ukraine where he was caring for bears, wolves and other animals. I started posting images, and stories on social media about the work we were doing and people started contacting us to help other wild animals. After working with LAEO for a few years we decided to start our own organization, WOW. Our focus is on lions, bears, tigers but most of our rescues have been lions. I want all animals to be free but I understand that it is not always possible. We try to give the animals we come across a better. I am thankful that WOW encourages like minded people to end animal abuse. My role at WOW ranges from investigating animal abuse, daily care, documentation, social media and liaising with the Ukrainian government to improve animal laws.