Event type
Animal Awareness Day
Event status
Coming soon
Dates
10 August
Price
Included in zoo admission
It's World Lion Day on 10 August and it's the paw-fect opportunity to celebrate our lion family at London Zoo
Join our roar-some celebrations!
London Zoo is home to a family of Asiatic lions - male, Bhanu, female, Arya, and their three cubs Mali, Syanii, and Shanti who were born the 13 March 2024. At just four months old, they are learning to explore their territory, playfighting, and find their food! They don't stay small for long so you really don't want to miss this opportunity to see them in action!
Join us on Saturday 10 August to learn all about lion adaptations, the threats Asiatic lions face in the wild, and ZSL's vital conservation work to protect them in the Gir forest. Once at a population as small as 20 individuals, they are now 700 strong and a real example of conservation success!
When and where will World Lion Day activities take place?
Head to Land of Lions to discover what it's like to be a big cat zookeeper with our Q&A sessions and learn about the training, feeding and enrichment of our delightful duo!
Head to our pop-up stand in Land of the Lions, where we will have some incredible lion artefacts, quizzes, information on the cubs, conservation projects, and more!
There will also be a lion talk and zookeeper Q&A at 11:30 am*, 2:30 pm, 3:30 pm*, and 5:00 pm.
*The lions will also be given some enrichment at the 11:30 am talk, and there's a chance to win a lion plush at the talk at 3:30 pm!
All activities are included in the cost of your Zoo ticket or membership - by visiting us you're helping us to care for Asiatic lions in the wild, so thank you!
Members can collect their FREE lion pin-badge from the stand on production of a valid membership card. Only a limited number of badges are available so make sure you get there early!
Asiatic lion conservation
Protecting the remaining Gir lions is crucial to enable the population to grow and ensure the survival of this irreplaceable species. Together with our partners in India and with the support of Liontrust, we have built a lasting infrastructure to safeguard Asiatic lions.
Why are Asiatic lions so special and why are they under threat?
For 200,000 years these powerful predators roamed from Western Greece to Eastern India. Sadly, their majesty was their downfall and at the turn of the 20th Century, there were thought to be less than 20 in existence. They were only found in the Gir Forest of Gujarat, India and, both the last Nawabs (Princes) of Gujarat and the proceeding new Gujarat government of 1965, realised that action had to be taken, fast!
Due to the fantastic ensuing conservation, including the enlargement of the Gir forest, the establishment of a forest guard to protect both villagers and lions, and even a team from London Zoo travelling over to impart their veterinary and behaviour management knowledge, the numbers have massively increased. The last official census told us there are now over 520 Asiatic Lions in the Gir, and there’s even been whisperings of more than 670 individuals spotted.
Learn more about ZSL's conservation work with Asiatic lions and visit Bhanu and Arya in their home at Land of Lions – an homage to the people of Gujarat and the amazing conservation work that they have done!
World Lion Day activities are included with Zoo entry or membership.
Under-3's and ZSL Members enter the Zoo for free.