Artist Emma Bowring has painted a portrait of a lion cub that was kept illegally as a pet to raise funds for animal welfare charities.

Charity Born Free has re-homed lion cub King at its big cat sanctuary in South Africa.

Emma's painting is for sale at Lyme Regis gallery Edwards & Parr, with all of the proceeds going to Born Free to help fund King’s care. Money raised from the painting and other donations will go to fund King's food, health checks and veterinary care, as well as upkeep and maintenance of his enclosure.

Virginia Mckenna, founder of Born Free, praised Emma's vivid painting of King.

She said: "This wonderful painting of little King is so true to life he almost steps off the page! I’m thrilled that Born Free will benefit from the sale of this very special painting of the King of the Jungle."

King made international headlines in October 2017 after being found half-starved and cowering in a dirty cage in an abandoned apartment in Paris. Just a few months old and kept illegally as an exotic pet, King had been beaten and kicked by its owner who then posted videos of the abuse on social media.

King was rescued by French animal rescue charities Fondation 30 Million d’Amis and Refuge de l’Arche and given a temporary home at Natuurhulpcentrum rescue centre, in Belgium.

Born Free Co-Founder and Trustee, Virginia McKenna OBE, said: “Have we learned nothing over the years? How can we not understand that keeping wild animals in cages is not just cruel, but shameful? Lions are known as kings of the jungle. This little king, sadly, will never wear his crown, but at least we can give him love and respect and a natural environment to roam and rest in. That is the least he deserves, and I hope people will help us write a happy ending to this story.”

Born Free plans to transport King from Belgium to South Africa to be given a permanent home at its long-established big cat sanctuary at Shamwari. The sanctuary is already home to 16 lions and leopards rescued from appalling captive conditions. King will be given lifetime care in a spacious, safe and natural environment, surrounded by the beautiful sights and sounds of Africa.

Keeping wild animals as pets is not just an international problem. Latest research by Born Free has revealed more than 292 dangerous wild cats – including at least nine lions – are being kept privately, and legally, in Great Britain under the Dangerous Wild Animals Act 1976.

*King painting by Emma Bowring, Edwards & Parr gallery, Lyme Regis. See Emma's website emmabowring.co.uk for more information.