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Introduction to LionsThere are three adult African lions resident at the Isle of Wight Zoo. These individuals were transferred to the zoo as juveniles in need of a permanent home. They are not required to partake in international breeding programmes and as a result the Isle of Wight Zoo intentionally prevents these animals from breeding together. Lions are the second largest members of the Panthera genus of cats. The species evolved in western Africa, over two million years ago, and then spread north to Asia and Europe. Their habitat is often more open than the other species of big cat with savannah landscapes being a common area for lion territory. Lions are the only truly social cats and also, uniquely within the cat family, show a high degree of sexual dimorphism with the males possessing a mane. The former range of this species has been drastically reduced. Lions are no longer found in the wild in Europe and in Asia they are surviving in just one protected area. Africa's lion population is under considerable threat from human interference of habitat and direct killing. Find out more about Lions. |
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