One of the highlights of being a zookeeper is being able to see the animals outside the normal visiting hours. Going to visit the lions after I have finished my work is a huge treat as it is in these hours when they are at their most active.
Zuri and Safi especially get a lot more energetic, especially Safi who often drives to engage Zuri in some kind of game of chase often popping up on him when he does not expect it! She is so much more agile than he is, and she shows this by the way she will leap and bound around their enclosure. Zuri has more of a sort of lumber and his walks around but can put on some speed. The sound of the paws against the ground is fantastic as they chase each other around.
Below is my favourite picture from this evening. Safi having just jumped on Zuri from within the holding pen is then chased out the other direction by himself. Here you can see Safi jumping through the hatch to try and get away!
These two lions may be fully grown individuals, and Zuri may look majestic when he sits ontop of his hill, but just like any cats they have their playful side, and these really do come alive in this kind of weather. Because the weather is not too cold to be inside all day, and not too hot to sit around and do nothing, it allows the lions to be more energetic to keep themselves warm, therefore making some fantastic viewing. Also as the evening draws in they wait their arrival of their keeper and maybe the possibility of food, this excites them as it would any animal. Even though lions are not classed as nocturnal animals they will sleep and be active in any time of the day. Especially during the Summer there is no point in lions exerting themselves during the heat as it will only tire them out further, which is why when it is cooler they will then wake up fully to patrol around their enclosure.
As always more photos from this evening visits to the lions after work will be plentiful for you all to see.
Cheers
James
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