Out of quarantine and on the prowl... life with the lions in Yorkshire (Video)

Today, this pride of Romanian lions has been restored to health after a 150,000 rescue operation that's been called a roaring success.

Six months after they were airlifted to Britain in crates, the 13 big cats at the Yorkshire Wildlife Park in Doncaster has improved so much they are now out of quarantine and free to roam their enclosure.

The animals, which had kept in cramped concrete cages in their former home at Oradea Zoo in Romania, were weak and skeletal when they were discovered.

But staff say they are astounded by how much the big cats have improved.

"We are so delighted by their progress," said Park director Cheryl Williams.