Event type
Animal Awareness Day
Event status
Passed
Dates
10 August
Price
FREE
It's World Lion Day on 10 August and it's the paw-fect opportunity to celebrate our lions at London Zoo!
When and where will World Lion Day activities take place?
London Zoo is home to two Asiatic lions - male, Bhanu, and female, Arya. On Thursday 10 August, we're celebrating our roarsome duo all day long! Join us to learn all about their adaptations, the threats Asiatic lions face in the wild, and ZSL's vital conservation work to protect them in the Gir forest.
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!
- 11.45am - Enrichment feed and talk followed by a keeper Q&A
- 2.30pm - Talk and keeper Q&A with competition prizes too!
- 3.30pm - Talk
Plus, look out for lion artefacts, word searches, pop-up crafts and engagement throughout the day!
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!
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.
