Safari park says 40% rise in the lion population prompted 'excessive violent behaviour' and led to cull of six lions
One of Britain's most popular safari parks has come under criticism after it emerged that it had destroyed six of its lions because of a large increase in pregnancies.
Longleat Safari Park said that a 40% increase in its lion population had resulted in "excessive violent behaviour" and that an adult male lion called Henry had been put down earlier in the year after he was injured, while other lions met the same fate due to "associated and severe health risks".
The park posted a statement about the matter on its Facebook page, where it had come under criticism from members of the public.
One person commented: "You are a disgrace. You allowed them to breed and then destroyed these healthy lions. I was a regular visitor but I wont becoming back [sic]."
Another asked: "Why did you not move them or stop the breeding when you knew it would be a problem? This is disgusting and makes me feel sick that these beautiful animals were killed."
Others drew links between the killing of the lions and the case of a young giraffe which was destroyed on Sunday morning at Copenhagen zoo despite thousands of people signing an online petition calling for the 18-month-old creature, called Marius, to be spared.
Longleat, which is on the Wiltshire estate of the Marquess of Bath, said on Sunday: "Firstly, we do not and will not ever put down any of our animals unless their health is very much at risk and even then it is only because we would have exhausted all other options.
"In regards to the lions, there has been a large increase in pregnancies, resulting in a 40% increase in population. This has unfortunately resulted in excessive violent behaviour, putting 21 of them at risk."
It added: "Sadly one lion, Henry, had to be put down earlier this year due to injuries from an attack within the enclosure. The further lions referred to were put down due to associated and severe health risks. Following these incidents, five lions from this enclosure are to be moved to other premises. Longleat takes the utmost care in trying to protect the welfare and safety of all our animals."
Longleat, which describes itself as "the UK's No 1 safari park" was opened in 1966 and was one of the first ever safariparks outside of Africa. It has hosted the BBC series Animal Park in recent years.
It is home to two separate prides of lions, which are one of its biggest attractions. Last month, pictures were widely circulated in the media of some of the lions climbing trees and, in one case, leaping from an oak tree.
Longleat published the statement on Facebook following a report in the Mail on Sunday, which quoted concerns expressed by what is thought ot be a former park employee.
Referring to the death of Henry in January, the person said: "I don't think there was a reason to do it. He had been vasectomised so he couldn't breed. Henry could have been sold to another zoo."
A spokesman for a zoo which had provided a lioness which was said also to have been put down was quoted as questioning Longleat's action: "Apart from health problems, I can't think of any other reason why a lion like Louisa would have to be put down. We will be contacting Longleat for more information."
source Guardian
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