Life with the lions: From Romanian squalor to the pride of Yorkshire (with video)

But yesterday they could not wait to explore a huge enclosure created specially for them at a wildlife park in Yorkshire, and immediately made themselves at home in the sunshine.

The lions were flown from Oradea Zoo in Romania after staff there admitted they were being kept in tiny cages not acceptable in the 21st century.

Until they were released yesterday from their new state-of-the-art quarters, the lions had only ever lived in concrete pens, and they clearly enjoyed the soil and grass beneath their feet.

Yorkshire-based airline Jet2.com arranged the airlift and the animals were flown into Doncaster's Robin Hood Airport, just a few minutes from their new home at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park.

Director Cheryl Williams and her staff had spent months preparing for yesterday's release and she admitted it was an emotional moment when the first four lions emerged.

The 13 lions are split into three prides, and will have to be kept separate to stop them fighting. The new enclosure, the biggest in the country, has been split into three areas to allow each family access.

Ms Williams added: "This all started at the end of last August and to think that we now have the lions out there, enjoying the enclosure and on display to our visitors is absolutely fantastic.

"I just had no idea what they would do today, and our biggest fear was that we would open the gates to their lovely big reserve and they would be too frightened to come out."

Ms Williams said the rescue effort was sparked after Daiana Ghender took over at Oradea Zoo and immediately made an international appeal for a new home for the lions.

Yesterday also marked an emotional reunion for Ms Ghender, who flew over from Romania to be present as her former charges were released into their new South Yorkshire habitat.

The first lions to be released were parents Cezar and Alis and their two male cubs Ares and Adel, and their former keeper spoke to them in Romanian to encourage them to explore.

Ms Ghender said: "I have waited a long time for this moment. In Romania it is difficult to improve the conditions for animals in zoos because the level of life is so different for people.

"We are still trying to rebuild and improve the life for the animals that are left behind, but when the average wage is 150 euros a month it is hard to find money for the project."