Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.

Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

Royal opening for lion enclosure
HM the Queen at Land of the Lions
The exhibition seeks to recreate Sasan Gir in Gujurat, India, which is the last remaining stronghold of Asiatic lions.

Queen and Duke open Asiatic lion exhibit

The ‘Land of the Lions’ at ZSL London Zoo was officially opened on Thursday by HM The Queen and HRH The Duke of Edinburgh. The £5.2m Asiatic lion exhibit, complete with a 360° Temple Clearing, is the zoo’s biggest project to date.

Her Majesty and His Royal Highness came 'whisker-close' to lionesses Indi, Rubi and Heidi in the Temple Clearing centrepiece, 40 years since opening the previous lion enclosure.   

Covering 2,500 sqm and with a grand stone archway entrance, the exhibition seeks to recreate Sasan Gir in Gujurat, India, which is the last remaining stronghold of Asiatic lions. The 360° Temple Clearing will separate visitors from closely roaming lions with fine wires.

Director General Ralph Armond said “We were delighted to welcome Her Majesty and His Royal Highness to ZSL London Zoo this morning to open our new Land of the Lions exhibit.”

The project will provide an ideal home for Asiatic lions and be an important contributor to the European breeding programme for the endangered species.  
In support of ZSL’s international conservation efforts and funded by ZSL’s Asiatic lions fundraising campaign, Land of the Lions features artefacts shipped from India including rickshaws, bicycles and a life size truck to best recapture the essence of the lions’ original habitat.

The exhibition is open to the public on Friday 25 March.

Image © ZSL London Zoo
 

 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
BBC Radio 4 documentary addresses corporate fees

BBC Radio 4's File on 4 Investigates has released a documentary exploring how corporate-owned veterinary practices may be inflating bills to increase profit.

Released on 15 April, 'What's Happening To Your Vet Bills?' revealed the policies which many corporate groups have in place to increase their profits. This included targets and upgrades which veterinary teams are tasked with meeting on a regular basis.

It also features Anrich Vets, an independently-owned practice based in Wigan. Following the case of Staffordshire terrier Benjy, who is diagnosed with a tumour, the documentary shares how the team were able to offer contextualised care and advice to make the procedure as affordable as possible for his owners.

The documentary can be heard on demand on BBC iPlayer.