The lion (Panthera leo) is the second-largest living cat after the tiger. The lion is a vulnerable species, having seen a major population decline in its African range of 30–50% per two decades during the second half of the 20th century.
Lions are unusually social compared to other cats. A pride of lions consists of related females and offspring and a small number of adult males. [Wikipedia]
The origin of our whole zoo was one orphan lion cub found (in Sudan, Africa) by a Swedish explorer back in the 1950’s. See an old post of mine from 2011:
It All Started With One Lion.
When I was visiting this time, the lions were waiting to be fed (feeding time was about an hour away – and if memory serves me right, I don’t think they’re fed every day, because it’s not in their natural habit to eat daily).
Yawn… What’s going on?
Daddy? Where are you going?
Mummy, I’m hungry! Where’s my dinner?
Something’s happening over there…
Not fair! The humans are getting fed, and we’re not…
Grrrr…
Downright cruel of them to be teasing us like that!
Wish I could jump right through that glass wall…
Yeah, I wouldn’t mind a bite…
… We want our meat NOW! …
as were the bears these are AMAZING... i just love them all... i think the females are prettier than the males but they are indeed gorgeous... Lord of the Junlge
ReplyDeleteThe cub is so cute! Look at those blue eyes!! But the first picture is just the opposite...in that picture you have really captured their strength and power. Makes you kind of scared even through the glass!
ReplyDeleteLove your captions...I have always admired lions whenever I visit a zoo. One of these days I'd like to go on an African safari to see them in their natural habitat.
ReplyDeleteI am enjoying your zoo photos...keep them coming.
I do love lions. Did a watercolor of a Lion and his cub. Your picture and captions are so fun. Love every one of them.
ReplyDeleteLions have a special place in many people's hearts, including mine. Here in the Stuttgart zoo (the Wilhelma, named so because King Wilhelm - William - founded it), there have been no lions for some years now. But I remember them well. When you happened to be there on a fasting day for them, you could sometimes hear the big male roaring. It was a sound that went through and through.
ReplyDeleteThat's interesting about the origin of your zoo.
ReplyDeleteEvery child knows about the Lion. I think most of us were told he was the King of the Jungle but, so far as I know, they don't live in jungles!
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