24 March 2005

Wellington Zoo Visitors Face to Face with the Lions

Wellington Zoo is again bringing their visitors remarkably close to these animals with the reintroduction of the Lion cave viewing window, open from Easter this year. Visitors will feel like they are in the enclosure with the Lions as they make eye contact with these animals through the viewing glass.

After two months of sourcing building supplies and construction, the viewing glass provides a 30 millimetre distance between the Lions and Zoo visitors, making the experience extremely close but safe.

Following the installation of the new glass, Property Team Leader, Shane Whittaker describes his experience with the Lions as “Quite daunting. They followed me to the window, then pounced”.

Realising Wellington Zoo’s vision to bring animals and people closer together, the viewing cave is one of many enhanced or new enclosures.

Wellington Zoo Lion Keeper, Paul Horton says “Visitors can have an up close and personal moment with an African Lion through the window. They [the Lions] are reacting really well to it”. If you really want to experience Lion breath, you can book a Big Cat Encounter which really is the ultimate experience.

Big Cat Encounters have been touted as a success by numerous visitors with Encounters available from Monday to Friday. They can be booked by calling Zoo Events on 389 3692.

ENDS

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