I'm not sure what the plans are at the moment - they currently have two sets of brothers (both in separate enclosures) and have five females (three sisters in one enclosure, and two mothers in two separate prides). Mixing female lionesses is impossible, I believe, so unless one of the mothers dies and one of the sets of brothers mix with the three sisters. I think they may keep the prides remaining as they are for the time being.
And i was told that when the old females pass away they will split the girls pride into two and two females will go with each of the prides . Eventually when all the lions have passed away the enclosure will be used to house a breeding pride of lions and the moat will be filled in so the two front enclosures will be used as one big one and the other enclosure will be blocked off so it can be used for another species .
However of course this is all a few years a way yet but its good they have future plans already in place.
I don't get why they don't want to keep separate enclosures. Like that they could show more lions and help breeding programs, by providing space for more than just one pride. Most studbooks search desperately for places for their animals and like this they would help them, keeping multiple prides.
But most likely they'll just get mix-lions anyways.
the enclosure will be used to house a breeding pride of lions and the moat will be filled in so the two front enclosures will be used as one big one and the other enclosure will be blocked off so it can be used for another species .
That sounds like a good forward- thinking plan in so much as they can still exhibit Lions in a social group, but free up space for another species too. I did wonder if they would always have all these subgroups of Lions indefinately.
I don't get why they don't want to keep separate enclosures. Like that they could show more lions and help breeding programs, by providing space for more than just one pride.
I think a Park like this depends on variety of species. Their land area is not that vast so being able in the future to adapt existing space like this for an additional species is a valuable asset for them. I think a single group of Lions would be a better display for them too. The 'split' subgroups they have now reflect the rescue factor involved in getting these Lions from Romania originally. They were able to give them a much better home and got good publicity for their opening at the same time, but longerterm giving over all this space to Lion groups may not be realistic for them.
