Kilimanjaro Safaris

Dec 2008. This male lion is seen from below the raised exhibit.

Is it just me being paranoid, or might those straws possibly be hotwire?

Also, this is the first tree at DAK that I notice being obviously protected by mesh.

It does look like hot-wire. The main reason might be because the moat starts right after where the hot-wire is.

It's definitely hotwire (actually a patented variation used in North America called "hot grass."). WHAT'S WRONG WITH USING IT? It is a barrier just like a fence, moat, water, jagged rocks, thorny plants etc. In this case it is used to prevent an animal from venturing into a steep sided-moat. Most animals learn very quickly to avoid hotwire, although some (orangs and elephants in particular) often see it as a "challenge" to figure out how to short circuit or otherwise destroy the wiring to get at the vegetative goodies it protects.

I completely agree that the sight of undisguised hotwires is a negative, but when used carefully (creatively)--as in this photo--it can greatly enhance an exhibit's attractiveness, safety and utility to its inhabitants.