Eli, Sabba and their sister Sky relax in an enclosure at their new home after traveling from Amarillo to Wylie last week. The siblings, along with another lion, three tigers and 10 lemurs, are among the newest arrivals at In-Sync. Courtesy Lon Ricker for In-Sync

After a three-day journey from Amarillo, a group of lions, tigers and lemurs are beginning a new chapter in Wylie — trading a private facility for spacious enclosures, regular veterinary care and a permanent home at In-Sync Exotics Wildlife Rescue and Educational Center.

The Wylie-based nonprofit transported four lions — Kumba, Eli, Sabba and Sky — three tigers — Bunny, Raja and Shilo — and 10 lemurs to its sanctuary at 3430 Skyview Drive in a three-day effort involving staff and volunteers.

The transfer comes after more than a decade of communication between In-Sync and the Amarillo facility, including a previous rescue of a tiger about seven years ago. A volunteer who frequently traveled to Amarillo to visit family helped maintain that connection, regularly visiting one of the lions, Kumba, and staying in contact with the facility. In recent months, discussions between founder Vicky Keahey and the owner continued by phone and email, ultimately leading to the transfer.

Despite the passage of the federal Big Cat Public Safety Act in 2022, staff said the original owner was “grandfathered in” because the facility had been in operation for many years.

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