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Friday, September 25, 2015

British Lions? Rugby World Cup fever hits safari park as big cats perfect set-piece plays

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The famous pride of lions at Longleat Safari Park, in Wiltshire, looked like they were running through set piece plays as they larked about with a rugby ball


Longleat's lions playing with a rugby ball tied to a tree. Pictured - Klaus
Roarsome: Klaus the lion loves a bit of rugby
If these ROARSOME pictures are any indication, Rugby World Cup fever has infected the animal kingdom - and these leaping lions are keen to show off their skills.
The pride of lions at Longleat Safari Park, in Wiltshire, held an open training session for spectators ahead of England's clash against Wales on Saturday.
Better known for their mauling, the predators dedicated time to set-piece plays.
Keepers at the park in Wiltshire set up a 'line-out' - where players jump into the air to catch a ball - by suspending a rugby ball from a tree in their woodland home.
Within minutes, young male Klaus was demonstrating his athletic prowess by leaping off the ground to wrestle the rugby ball to the ground.


BNPS Longleat's lions playing with a rugby ball tied to a tree. Pictured - Harry, one of Longleat's younger males
Catch me if you can: Harry the lion dives for the ball


BNPS Longleat's lions playing with a rugby ball tied to a tree. Pictured - Klaus
Gotcha! Klaus keeps a firm hold - maybe slightly too firm - on the ball
Klaus might need to work on his handling skills, though, as his razor-sharp claws and huge teeth soon ripped through the ball apart.
His power and aggression are reminiscent of England's own leaping lion, Geoff Parling, although the latter has never destroyed a ball with his bare hands.


BNPS Longleat's lions playing with a rugby ball tied to a tree. Pictured - Klaus
You wouldn't want to meet him in the scrum: Klaus grabs a rugby ball from a tree


BNPS Longleat's lions playing with a rugby ball tied to a tree. Pictured - Harry, one of Longleat's younger males
High climber: Harry, one of the younger lions, takes an alternative route to the ball
Ian Turner, keeper at Longleat, said: "Our lions always been alarmingly good at rucking and mauling but we wanted to see how they'd tackle the high ball.
"Despite weighing close to 180kg Klaus is actually extremely light on his feet and leapt high off the ground.


BNPS Longleat's lions playing with a rugby ball tied to a tree. Pictured - Klaus
The mane man: Klaus shows his athletic prowess


BNPS Longleat's lions playing with a rugby ball tied to a tree. Pictured - Harry, one of Longleat's younger males
Rising star: Harry stretches to reach the rugby ball
"With a reach well in excess of three metres I think it's safe to say he'd probably come out on top against the world's best, although his passing skills do leave a bit to be desired."
Male lions usually reach their full size by the age of two, while females will be about three years old before they are fully grown.


BNPS Longleat's lions playing with a rugby ball tied to a tree. Pictured - Klaus
Try harder: Klaus paws at the dangling ball


BNPS Longleat's lions playing with a rugby ball tied to a tree. Pictured - Klaus
Mauled: The rugby ball was no match for Klaus, Harry and co
Adult lions can weigh up to 200kg and grow to lengths in excess of three metres.

England play Wales at Twickenham on Saturday in their second 'group of death' match of the Rugby World Cup .


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