Zoos Victoria had announced that the four lion cubs, two males and two females, who were born to second-time mum Nilo at Werribee Open Range Zoo on August 12, had now been named and would be on limited display as they still needed long rest periods like all young cubs (and kids). Having been advised that the best viewing times to see Asali, Ilola, Ato and Lwazi were before 10.30am, we headed down to Werribee early and arrived even before the gates opened thanks to some lighter than usual traffic.
Once the gates opened and our membership cards had been scanned, we made our way towards the lion enclosure in the hope of securing a good viewing spot. When we arrived, the keepers were still cleaning the interior glass and setting up food and enrichment for the lions, but we could hear the male lion roaring, clearly impatient for his breakfast. Watching the keepers placing these huge rib bones out for the lions gave us the opportunity to determine the probable best positions for good photos and to set up a third camera to record a bit of video while the magpies tried to steal a bit of meat off the waiting bones.
By the time things were all set, there were only about six of us at the enclosure and we were not disappointed when the pride came out of their night dens.
The big male lion immediately claimed a huge rack of ribs and headed off to the shade to eat.
Continue reading “A trip to Werribee Open Range Zoo (25 November 2017)”
