Saddam lions head for Africa

The lions will soon be roaming through the South African bush

The pet lions of Saddam Hussein's son, Uday, are to be transferred to game parks in South Africa.

Barbara Maas, director of Care for the Wild International, told BBC News Online that both United States and Iraqi veterinarian officials in Baghdad have agreed to the move.

One lioness, six of her month-old cubs and two yearlings will be moved, probably by air, to two game parks in South Africa.

The mother and her cubs are currently in Uday's palace, which has now become a base for US troops in the Iraqi capital.

There is not enough space or money to care for them in the Baghdad zoo, Ms Maas said.

'Dreadful state'

Uday Hussein was known for his love of fierce animals, fast cars and women. He has not been seen since days into the US-led war with Iraq.

The lions are being well looked after by the US troops but they need more space, Ms Maas said.

A vet has offered to operate on the bear's cataracts

"When they found the animals, they were in a dreadful state," she said.

"Lions never lose their instinct to hunt. But they have to get fit first," said Louise Joubert, founder of the SanWild Wildlife Trust, one of the game parks where the lions are headed.

Another of Uday's pets, a female brown bear who is blind, is to be transferred to a sanctuary in Greece, where a South African veterinarian has offered to operate on her.

Ms Maas is going to return to Baghdad at the end of June to organise the transfer.

"Until we turn up with the crates, nothing will happen," she said.

But both US Colonel Ibrahim, the vet in charge of public health and Dr Adel Mousa, the director of Baghdad Zoo, have backed her plan, she said.