Lifelike lion startles commuters
Life-like models are routinely used by vets at the zoo as an integral part of their training.
London commuters were startled by the incredibly realistic model of an Asiatic lion that was transported through Trafalgar Square this week. The replica is set to become part of London Zoo's new £5.2 million lion exhibit.
Created by specialist designers, the model breathes, has a heartbeat and even sports realistic-looking wounds to help budding vets learn how to treat them. Life-like models are routinely used by vets at the zoo as an integral part of their training.
When the new exhibit, Land of the Lions, officially opens on the 25th March, actors playing the part of a forest rescue team will offer children the chance to take part in the replica lion's rescue. They will be able to hold drips, check his heart-rate and clean his injuries.
"Our replica lion is so realistic, visitors joining in the action will get an incredible sense of what it's like for the teams working in India to rescue injured animals," said the zoo's live interpretation team leader, Ruth Thomas.
"It's an integral part of the Land of the Lions story, showing exactly the kind of vital work that is currently being undertaken on the ground in the Gir Forest as part of ZSL's conservation project to protect these beautiful big cats in the wild."
It is hoped that the model will help visitors to understand how real-life rangers work to protect the 500 or so remaining lions in the Gir National Park.
The replica took two months to create and is moulded out of clay and cast in layers of latex. Synthetic fur was carefully hand-stitched onto the body and glass eyes and plastic claws added. The whiskers were fashioned from dried grass blades.
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