It's been almost three weeks since Max and Benny moved into the new lion enclosure. Every day they set out to explore what is still a whole new world for them. Climbing trees, lookout mounds, streams and new plants, as well as heated dens and grasslands are some of the many features of the new facility that need to be inspected and tried out. And then there are the enthusiastic zoo visitors who can admire the lions from many perspectives, but cannot see into the retreat areas which are away from the public gaze.
"Depending on their mood, Max and Benny can present themselves in all their splendour, but they can also retreat from the public eye whenever they need privacy. The two male lions get quite close up to our visitors at Hellabrunn at the outdoor enclosure’s glass walls and at the “contact membrane”, a new design feature at the zoo. Here Max and Benny can approach zoo guests to enable them to feel the intensity of their vocalisations, their body heat and their distinctive smell – without any danger to the visitors at all," says Rasem Baban, zoological director of Hellabrunn Zoo.
Niels Richter, team leader of the big cat keepers, and his staff have been monitoring the lions daily: "In the first few days, Max in particular showed himself to be an enthusiastic climber. He loves to scale up the trees, from where he looks majestically down at the visitors. Today his brother Benny followed him for the first time, albeit a little more hesitantly,” said the zookeeper: “The lions are now watching the neighbouring moose from their elevated viewing platform on the left side of the enclosure. Hoofed animals are always ‘interesting’ for lions – even if they remain out of reach for the lion brothers.”
As expected, the new lion enclosure has become a popular attraction in the last few days and has been warmly received by visitors. Fans of the zoo are particularly impressed with many different viewing options into the outdoor enclosure as well as the exciting, hands-on educational displays, which underline Hellabrunn Zoo's mission as a place for environmental and species conservation education.
Food and drink on the Whitsun weekend, because lions are not the only ones who get hungry: Our main restaurant at Hellabrunn Zoo is offering a delicious holiday brunch for the whole family on Whitsun and Whit Monday. For more information here.