Sudan Animal Rescue Centre - in pictures

Founder Osman Salih looks after a variety of rescued animals

• 

  Osman Salih, founder of the Sudan Animal Rescue Centre, holds an African lion cub during a medical check-up at the centre in Al Bageir, near the country's capital Khartoum. All photos: EPA

• 

  Mr Salih feeds a monkey at the centre. What started as a private rescue mission by Mr Salih, to save five starving lions in January 2020, has now become a rescue centre for numerous animals that is funded by donations and about 600 visitors weekly.

• 

  Centre manager Mansour Al Mushrif holds an African Rock Pyhton during a medical check.

• 

  A visitor takes pictures of an ostrich in an enclosure at the centre.

• 

  A group of African lions doze in the shadow in their enclosure.

• 

  Although one of the first two lions died a day after Mr Salih's rescue attempt and another died a few months later, his mission to save the animals was followed on social media and drew worldwide support.

• 

  Osman Salih, founder of the Sudan Animal Rescue Center, holds an African lion cub during a medical checks at the center in Al Bageir, near the country's capital Khartoum, Sudan, 17 June 2022 (issued 27 June 2022). What started as a private rescue mission by Salih - initially financed by his own savings - to save five starving lions from the Al-Qurashi Gardens in Khartoum in January 2020, has now become a rescue center for numerous animals that is funded by donations and about weekly 600 visitors. Although one of the lions died one day after Salih's rescue attempt and another one died a few months later, his mission to rescue the animals was followed on social media and triggered worldwide support. Now he runs the rescue center on some 10-acres of land belonging to the family hosting 20 lions, monkeys, snakes and ostriches. One of the surviving lionesses named Kandaka, that was in the worst condition before being rescued recently gave birth to the lion cub and is also featured in the logo of the Sudan Animal Rescue Center. While his animal rescue center was welcomed by many supporters, Salih himself tries to keep a low profile as others also have criticised his work, saying that resources should be better diverted towards Sudan's humanitarian crisis. EPA / ELA YOKES ATTENTION: This Image is part of a PHOTO SET

• 

  Mr Salih feeds a baboon.

• 

  A worker feeds lions in their enclosure. One of the surviving lionesses named Kandaka, which was in the worst condition before being rescued, recently gave birth to a cub and is also featured on the logo of the Sudan Animal Rescue Centre.

• 

  With an African rock python. While his animal rescue centre was welcomed by many supporters, Mr Salih himself tries to keep a low profile as others also have criticised his work, saying that resources should be better diverted towards Sudan's humanitarian crisis.

More from The National

Jeddah Season cultural festival – in pictures

Humankind a million years older than previously thought, fossils show

Horse racing at abandoned Gaza airport – in pictures

Mayyas founder on 'America's Got Talent' triumph: Everything happened in slow motion