Quite a nice photo. Making it look a lot larger and better than it really is!
Would love to see an overhead tunnel for the Lions, maybe one that could give them view of the giraffes, rhinos, nyala ect. on the other side of the path.
@Jambo I’ve long wanted the zoo to construct a second lion exhibit on the site of the current rhinoceros exhibit to manage a large pride - connected by both overhead and underground tunnels. Given how popular this species is with visitors, it seems like a crowd-pulling use for this space that has the potential to be something world class.
Like you say, the lion exhibit isn’t a large exhibit by today’s standards. It’s hard to imagine it once held up to 11 of these cats before previous cubs were transferred out as one year olds.
@Zoofan15 Since they're redeveloping the elephant enclosure for Rhinos, it might be a good choice to put Lions in the space where the current rhino enclosure is. I think this would be quite a good choice, especially if they want to go back into breeding again.
I speak for most visitors in saying, they'd rather see two lion enclosures rather than two rhino enclosures. Especially if they have a large pride including active cubs.
@Jambo I do have a (small) update on this, which I will post on the forum tomorrow; but I certainly agree they should be focussing their efforts on displaying the species people want to see - and big cats will always be high on that list.
I’m sure Melbourne Zoo visitors greatly miss the Lion Park that was replaced by the comparatively cramped exhibit within the Carnivores precinct. The former is to what Auckland Zoo should aspire.
