Visitors Get Up Close to Lions at Orana Park

Christchurch’s Orana Wildlife Park is making headlines for its unique lion experience that takes visitors inside the lion enclosure for a close encounter with the big cats as they are fed. The difference? The visitors are caged while the lions roam their enclosure.

Locked inside a mobile enclosure with zoo keepers, visitors are driven into the lion’s sprawling enclosure where the big cats are the fed by keepers passing food through the sides of the cage. The lions jump up the sides and on top of the cage, allowing visitors to get as close as possible to them while still remaining perfectly safe.

The zoo’s mobile enclosure is a hit with tourists – many of whom visit Christchurch for the sole reason of taking part in the experience – which allows up to 20 people at a time to get up close and personal with the lions at feeding time.

Park spokesman, Nathan Hawke, believes the encounter is a truly unique visitor experience. “While people can see lions in numerous places, we think we can get you as close as you would safely want to view these magnificent animals.”

“It’s an interesting way to display lions and also enables us to discuss ways in which visitors can help the King of the Beasts.”

Orana Wildlife Park is New Zealand’s only open range zoo, with over 400 animals from 70 different species on display across 80 hectares of park-like grounds.