VIDEO: Lionesses arrive at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

Friday, June 07, 2013

The Bristol Post

LOVE could be in the air among the big cats at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm in Wraxall, after the arrival of two new lionesses.

Arusha and Vilma are to be companions for lion brothers Zulu and Masai. They came from Heythrop Zoological Gardens in Chipping Norton.

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   Lionesses Arusha and Vilma explore their new home Photograph: Simon Galloway BRSG20120606A_C-02

The lionesses were let out into their outdoor enclosure for the first time this week and are being temporarily kept separate from the male lions while they get used to their new surroundings. The animals will be paired together later.

A breeding programme is planned for the future, with the animal park keeping one male and female pair and moving the second to another zoo.

Noah's Ark Zoo Farm's previous female, Louisa, moved to Longleat in 2011, becoming part of a new pride and mother to a litter of cubs.

Three-year-old Arusha and two-year-old Vilma are sisters.

Heythrop Zoological Gardens works with many zoos and safari parks in the UK and is known to the British & Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Big cat keeper Emma Godsell said: "We're delighted to welcome the two new girls, Arusha and Vilma, to Noah's Ark and I'm pleased to see how well they're settling in.

"Zulu and Masai are very intrigued by the scent of new cats at the Big Cat Sanctuary."

The zoo farm is opening the largest elephant habitat in northern Europe, called Elephant Eden, this summer. It has been described as a "five-star hotel for elephants".

The zoo is now running a series of short guided tours of the elephant house for visitors before it officially opens, giving the public to see the new exhibit and ask questions before elephants arrive this summer.

For more information call 01275 852606 or visit the zoo website www.noahsarkzoofarm.co.uk.

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