June 3, 2013 – WoollyMuses

Breakfast with the lions at Shambala Animal Kingdom took place at an open air, except for a roof, venue surrounded by the largest pride of lions in Australasia.

A splendid breakfast of various juices, bacon, eggs, coffee and tea the odours of which had only a few metres to drift to the nostrils of some grumpy and unfed lions.

To reach the breakfast area we had to walk along a short, narrow laneway between four hungry lions on our right, and their counterparts on our left. We thought they were all females. More later.

While most of the boys waited with some degree of patience…….

~~~~~~

The alpha male was decidedly displeased at the wait for his morning morsels.

While enjoying breakfast we were within close proximity to the inhabitants of both sides

and taking these photos was not a difficult task.

~~~~~~

I cannot remember if there was any food placed in these red balls or if they were just toys. Either way the lions enjoyed playing with them until staff produced a bucket of red meat. Breakfast!

~~~~~~

We noticed some of the “lionesses” looked to be quite a bit bigger than their counterparts. Upon commenting about our observation we were told that these females were actually boys with the ‘male’ part removed. I did not know that a male lion needs to be ‘entire’ to grow a mane until then. Although, having been around sheep all my life I have seen the difference between wethers and rams – both males but the latter can be used for breeding.

Just as the these fellas can.

~~~~~

~~~~~~

Breakfast or no breakfast this bloke had a burr under his saddle.

He did not appreciate company at all.

Either that or he wanted to let everyone know who was boss.

WoollyMuses

Day: June 3, 2013

Breakfast with Lions ~ 2

Breakfast with the lions at Shambala Animal Kingdom took place at an open air, except for a roof, venue surrounded by the largest pride of lions in Australasia.

A splendid breakfast of various juices, bacon, eggs, coffee and tea the odours of which had only a few metres to drift to the nostrils of some grumpy and unfed lions.

To reach the breakfast area we had to walk along a short, narrow laneway between four hungry lions on our right, and their counterparts on our left. We thought they were all females. More later.

While most of the boys waited with some degree of patience…….

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

The alpha male was decidedly displeased at the wait for his morning morsels.

While enjoying breakfast we were within close proximity to the inhabitants of both sides

and taking these photos was not a difficult task.

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

I cannot remember if there was any food placed in these red balls or if they were just toys. Either way the lions enjoyed playing with them until staff produced a bucket of red meat. Breakfast!

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

Just as the these fellas can.

~~~~~

~~~~~

~~~~~~

Breakfast or no breakfast this bloke had a burr under his saddle.

He did not appreciate company at all.

Either that or he wanted to let everyone know who was boss.

Breakfast with the lions at Shambala Animal Kingdom took place at an open air, except for a roof, venue surrounded by the largest pride of lions in Australasia.

A splendid breakfast of various juices, bacon, eggs, coffee and tea the odours of which had only a few metres to drift to the nostrils of some grumpy and unfed lions.

To reach the breakfast area we had to walk along a short, narrow laneway between four hungry lions on our right, and their counterparts on our left. We thought they were all females. More later.

While most of the boys waited with some degree of patience…….

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

The alpha male was decidedly displeased at the wait for his morning morsels.

While enjoying breakfast we were within close proximity to the inhabitants of both sides

and taking these photos was not a difficult task.

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

I cannot remember if there was any food placed in these red balls or if they were just toys. Either way the lions enjoyed playing with them until staff produced a bucket of red meat. Breakfast!

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

~~~~~~

Just as the these fellas can.

~~~~~

~~~~~

~~~~~~

Breakfast or no breakfast this bloke had a burr under his saddle.

He did not appreciate company at all.

Either that or he wanted to let everyone know who was boss.