The incredible journey of Yuna the lioness, whose rescue from war-torn Ukraine inspired a national campaign, is being immortalised in a stunning sculpture by Edge Sculpture. The new piece, a symbol of hope and resilience, will be officially unveiled to the public on Yuna's birthday, today, 25th September 2025.
Yuna was the first of five lions rescued by The Big Cat Sanctuary in a life-changing mission. Her story of recovery from severe trauma and shell-shock became the catalyst for a campaign that raised £500,000 to build the Lion Rescue Centre, the forever home for her and Rori, Amani, Lira and Vanda, the 4 other rescued lions.
Designed and created by renowned sculptor Matt Buckley, the sculpture captures the powerful spirit and remarkable transformation of Yuna. This project marks a significant first for the Shropshire-based family business, as it is the first time Matt has created an Edge Sculpture piece based on a real, living subject.
"Sculpting Yuna has been an honour," said Matt Buckley. "Her story is one of incredible resilience. I’ve spent months working on this piece, and my goal was to capture not just her form but her remarkable spirit. It's a privilege to be part of her story and to create a sculpture that symbolises everything she represents."
The fully hand-painted, cast sculpture weighs around 11kg and each piece will be hand-signed and numbered by Matt, accompanied by a certificate of authenticity. Initially, a limited number of these sculptures will be available to the public from 9th October, with a percentage from each sale being donated directly to The Big Cat Sanctuary to support their vital conservation efforts and future rescue missions.
The journey of creating the sculpture will be documented in a three-part series, premiering on the Edge Sculpture YouTube Channel on 30th September, 1st October, and 2nd October at 7 PM (BST).
Cam Whitnall, wildlife expert and Managing Director of The Big Cat Sanctuary said “This sculpture is more than just a piece of art; it is a tribute to Yuna's amazing journey and the love and dedication that saved her life. It is a beacon of hope that will continue to inspire”.
Each sculpture retails from £360 and can be pre-ordered from 9th October 2025.
