TRAUMATISED lions have finally escaped their filthy and cramped conditions at the world’s worst zoo.

Horrifying photographs of animals living in cramped concrete cages sparked a major rescue operation at the Safari park in Fier, Albania.

9 The lion can be seen to be 'severely malnourished' as it lies in its filthy enclosure Credit: Caters News Agency

9 The lions were seen in rusted cages at the park in Fier Credit: Caters News Agency

9 The Albanian zoo was slammed by animal rights protesters after creatures were photographed in filthy conditions Credit: Caters News Agency

9 Medics inspected the lions before they were transferred to a centre for traumatised big cats in the Netherlands Credit: AP:Associated Press

9 The animals will start a new life at the specialist zoo Credit: AFP or licensors

Inside the horrifying Albanian ‘zoo from hell’

Three lions, a waterbuck, four deer, a fox, a zebra and a turtle were sedated before being taken for treatment at Tirana's public zoo.

The recovering lions are now being transported to the Netherlands where they'll inhabit an "establishment imitating their natural habitat".

When the photographer revealed the conditions last year, he said: "All the animals are kept in tiny, unhygienic concrete cages with no possibility to retreat from the elements or from the prying eyes of visitors to the zoo."

His images showed what appeared to be suffering lions languishing in desolate, dirty concrete cages surrounded by their own waste and without even the most basic provisions such as fresh water and shade.

The photographer claimed vets who have visited the macabre facility described what they were greeted with as "some of the worst animal welfare conditions they have ever seen".

It is understood they were among around 14 lion cubs born at the zoo. The rest are thought to have died, been sold or simply been given away to friends of the owner.

Photos taken seven months after show three lions Lenci, Bobby and Zhaku being assessed by medical association Four Paws.

Their paws, mouths and bodies were fully checked for any injury sustained from their deplorable conditions.

The trio will now be looked after in their new home, the Felida Big Cat Centre, which specialises in taking care of big cats that were abused and neglected.

9 A zebra was also seen being taken from the zoo Credit: Caters News Agency

9 Vets who visited the facility described what they found as 'some of the worst animal welfare conditions they have ever seen' Credit: Caters News Agency

9 A wolf is seen in a tiny cage surrounded by filth at the 'safari park from hell' in Fier, Albania Credit: Caters News Agency

9 A zebra is seen surrounded by desolation and filth at the zoo that Albanian authorities are now being urged to investigate Credit: Caters News Agency

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