A Gloucester dental therapist spends up to three trips a year in South Africa treating rescued lions and other wildlife — helping them recover and return to the wild
Julie and first cub she helped
A dental therapist from Gloucestershire has swapped human smiles for lion snarls, flying to South Africa up to three times a year to care for rescued big cats before they’re released into the wild.
Julie Simpkins, who works at mydentist in Eastgate Street, Gloucester, has helped perform dental treatments on lions, hippos, elephants and wild dogs since her first visit to South Africa in 2002.
“I have always loved animals,” said Julie.
“I still remember the first lion cub I ever treated. It didn’t even have a name!
“Now, I have given medical treatments to more lions than I can count.”
Julie the human and animal dentist
The work she volunteers for is critical to ensuring injured or orphaned lions are eventually reintroduced to their natural habitat.
“The lions that are rescued are reared until they are about twelve to eighteen months old,” she explained.
“They are then moved to a protected reserve with no human interaction, where they are left to hunt and be self-sufficient before being released back into the wild.”
Sometimes lions are fitted with tracking collars to monitor their progress and ensure they avoid populated areas.
Julie began her career as a trainee veterinary nurse after school but now splits her time between treating humans and animals.
“They can be trickier patients than humans,” she joked, “but the reward I get from seeing them pain-free and able to return to the wild is just as big as the reward I get from helping my human patients.”
A hippo in the water
Her passion for animal care has even inspired her children, who have joined her in raising lion cubs during past trips.
“The cubs start to eat meat at around four to six weeks,” she said.
“When they are small, they’re cute, all playful and sweet with sharp, needle-like teeth. They like to hang off your trouser legs and pounce, so you must watch they don’t pull them down!”
Julie said her UK patients often ask about her animal work. “They love hearing about my travels.
“My regular patients always ask for updates on the animals’ progress and want to see photos when I’m back in the practice.”
She is expected to return to South Africa in January 2026.
Gloucestershire Live WhatsApp Breaking News and Top Stories
Join Gloucestershire Live’s WhatsApp community for top stories and breaking news sent directly to your phone
Gloucestershire Live is now on WhatsApp and we want you to join our community.
Through the app, we’ll send the latest breaking news, top stories, exclusives and much more straight to your phone.
To join our community you need to already have WhatsApp. All you need to do is click this link and select ‘Join Community’.
No one will be able to see who is signed up and no one can send messages except the Gloucestershire Live team.
We also treat community members to special offers, promotions and adverts from us and our partners. If you don’t like our community, you can check out at any time you like.
To leave our community, click on the name at the top of your screen and choose ‘Exit group’.
If you’re curious, you can read our Privacy Notice.
Click here to join our WhatsApp community.