These pictures were taken on an impulse visit to Whipsnade Zoo on Monday, having planned it just the night before! Having arrived at the zoo just after opening time at ten, I headed straight round to the lions. Knowing that the lions would be most active at this time of day I was pleased to see them all on top of their hill watching over the countryside. It was great to see them all so alert and so active early in the morning.
The lions have a fantastic view all over the downs from their hill, right over the oryx enclosure infront of them. The oryx did appear later on in the day, and do not seem phased by their neighbors at all.
These pictures below show the lions at around half 2 in the afternoon just before I left, as I thought they would most of them retreated to the viewing area and were sleeping. It is easy here to tell the castrated males apart from the lionesses. The lion on the far right was smaller than the others and her coat was slightly more 'colourful' than those of the other 3 just shown. This one is clearly a female, the other three were huge compared, and their heads were massive. They are incredibly butch, and a lot darker in colour, matching more to Spike. However very interestingly I would say that size wise they are a lot larger than their father, who seems to be a reasonably small and stunted looking lion. Spike is related to Zuri, who is also of the same type of build.
Once again a very uneventful trip to Whipsnade, with the lions looking extremely well and happy in eachothers company. This little family group, including the three castrated males seems to work well. And it was nice to see them venture onto their hill, maybe one day I may see them in their wooded area. The enclosure at Whipsnade is actually very spacious, but the lions seem to occupy only one particular area of it whenever I visit.
I hope you enjoy all these pictures, and I will probably visit Whipsnade before Christmas, to endure more freezing weather on the downs!
Cheers
James
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