New enclosure with a view opened for Barbary lions in Belfast
It has been described as a ‘great retirement home’ for the lions at Belfast Zoo who are aged in their 20s.
A new enclosure with a view has been opened at Belfast Zoo for the city’s pride of Barbary lions.
Nestled on high ground it offers views across the zoo and city, inspired by the Barbary lions native Atlas Mountain habitat in North Africa.
The new Kingdom of the Barbary Lion facility was officially opened by Belfast Lord Mayor Ryan Murphy before the first visitors were able to enjoy watching through 14 viewing windows.
The Kingdom of the Barbary Lion is designed for the needs of the lions with trees, ridges, rocks, caves, a viewing platform and climbing poles.
Mr Cairns said there is around twice as much floor space in the new enclosure.
He said Barbary lions, once a common sight in the Atlas Mountains in North Africa, are extinct in the wild.
“There is about twice as much floor space now in the new lion habitat.
“To move our lions to this wonderful new home in their 20s, it’s a great retirement home for them, but equally we have thought of new lions coming in the future so many of the things we have in the new Kingdom Of The Barbary Lion enclosure will also take into account us being able to breed as part of the breeding programme Lions In The Future.”
