Lions’ big move marks end of an era at Melbourne Zoo

• Brendan Lucas
• Herald Sun
• February 28, 2014 9:33AM

MOVING day is never easy, but for these three brothers it means they will soon be enjoying a new home sweet home. On Thursday, Melbourne Zoo announced the end of an era with lion brothers Zuri, Harare and Chaka moving from the Lion Park after 13 years.

Lions Zuri, Harare and Chaka relax at their enclosure in Melbourne Zoo in the early morning before the big move. Picture: David Caird Source: News Corp Australia

 

Fourteen-year-old male lion Harare reacts to being darted by vet Dr Michael Lynch, before being loaded into the van to be transported to his new enclosure. Picture: David Caird. Source: News Corp Australia

 

Heavily sedated and secured with netting, the three brave beasts in the loving care of zoo staff said goodbye to their old life (pictured) and hello to a temporary enclosure, before they can call their new state-of-the-art exhibit home.

Dr Michael Lynch checks Harare’s breath before loading him into the van to be transported to his new enclosure. Picture: David Caird Source: News Corp Australia

 

Fourteen-year-old male lion Zuri is checked and stabilised by vet Dr Michael Lynch before being loaded into the van to be transported to his new enclosure. Picture: David Caird Source: News Corp Australia

 

Zoo staff check over Chaka before transferring him to the van for transport to a new enclosure. Picture: David Caird Source: News Corp Australia

 

The old exhibit, which has been a part of the zoo since 1967, will be demolished and replaced with the new one.

The current lion enclosure at Melbourne Zoo is about to undergo renovation. Picture: David Caird Source: News Corp Australia

 

“It was one of the first exhibits anywhere to enclose people in the midst of the exhibit, as was done with the overhead bridge across the area,” said Zoo Director Kevin Tanner.

Fourteen-year-old male lion Chak requires many hands to help load him into a van to take him to a new enclosure. Source: News Corp Australia

 

“Now almost 50 years later, it’s time to take advantage of new construction techniques and design experience to create the first phase of what will be the new Predator Precinct.”

Zoo staff work on one of the male lions before loading him into the van for transport to a new enclosure. Picture: David Caird Source: News Corp Australia

 

Chaka is loaded into a van to be transported to the temporary enclosure. Picture: David Caird Source: News Corp Australia

The new development has been funded by a $5 million state government grant and is expected to be open to visitors by Christmas this year.

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