Queen and Duke open Asiatic lion exhibit
The ‘Land of the Lions’ at ZSL London Zoo was officially opened on Thursday by HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The £5.2m Asiatic lion exhibit, complete with a 360° Temple Clearing, is the zoo’s biggest project to date.
Her Majesty and His Royal Highness came 'whisker-close' to lionesses Indi, Rubi and Heidi in the Temple Clearing centrepiece, 40 years since opening the previous lion enclosure.
Covering 2,500 sqm and with a grand stone archway entrance, the exhibition seeks to recreate Sasan Gir in Gujurat, India, which is the last remaining stronghold of Asiatic lions. The 360° Temple Clearing will separate visitors from closely roaming lions with fine wires.
Director General Ralph Armond said “We were delighted to welcome Her Majesty and His Royal Highness to ZSL London Zoo this morning to open our new Land of the Lions exhibit.”
The project will provide an ideal home for Asiatic lions and be an important contributor to the European breeding programme for the endangered species.
In support of ZSL’s international conservation efforts and funded by ZSL’s Asiatic lions fundraising campaign, Land of the Lions features artefacts shipped from India including rickshaws, bicycles and a life size truck to best recapture the essence of the lions’ original habitat.
The exhibition is open to the public on Friday 25 March.
Image © ZSL London Zoo
