New habitat a roaring success for Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm’s lion pride

Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, the award-winning zoo and conservation charity has hit a major milestone in its ambitious multi-phase development, Project Carnivora - celebrating the opening of its brand-new lion habitat, with construction also well underway on an exciting new home for tigers.

Championing the welfare and conservation of some of the most iconic and threatened carnivores, Project Carnivora set out to transform the existing lion habitat and create brand-new spaces to welcome tigers, arctic foxes, and hooded vultures, creating habitats where these incredible animals can thrive.

The lions’ habitat, designed by specialist zoo architect Jonathan McLoughlin of zoo design consultancy Dearadh Zu, is now open and is proving a hit with visitors and the pride.

It has been enhanced and modernised, with the landscape being carefully designed to reflect the lions’ natural environment, featuring elevated mounds allowing them to reach higher ground, and large boulders for climbing and sunbathing.

The visitor experience has also been enriched, with immersive viewing and educational play opportunities, promoting conservation awareness and engagement.

With this week also marking the lions’ birthdays, their new home also importantly retains the bamboo that provided the birthing place for Arusha to deliver Tau back in 2018.

Image - Noah's Ark Zoo Farm

Larry Bush, Director of Noah’s Zoo Farm, comments: “We’re very proud to provide these carefully designed habitats for our lion pride, and the imminent arrival of our rescued tiger, Aqua.

“These magnificent creatures face many challenges in the wild, and these new habitats will serve to safeguard the species while raising awareness for their conservation.

“The state-of-the-art facilities are not only designed to cater to their needs, providing enrichment through thoughtful design, but will allow us to educate our visitors and wider community, enabling a passion for conservation to be fostered for generations to come.”

After a call to the public to support raising the funds needed to provide rescued tiger, Aqua, with a new lease of life in his forever home, his new habitat is well underway.

In 2019, Aqua was one of several tigers saved by international animal welfare charity, AAP (Animal Advocacy and Protection), at the Poland and Belarus border. Aqua and the tigers had endured appalling conditions during a journey across Europe. The tigers were very scared, nervous and stressed and needed a lot of time to feel safe and secure at AAP’s Primadomus rescue centre, in Villena, Spain.

To ensure Aqua’s settles in once he arrives, his habitat at Noah’s Ark Zoo farm includes many features thoughtfully designed for his wellbeing, including feeding poles and climbing platforms. Due to his love of water and swimming, it also features a new pool area, providing exciting enrichment through physical exercise, enabling him to feel immediately at home. The final touches will include planting greenery and vegetation, providing shade and shelter.

Aqua’s arrival was originally scheduled for late summer but has been slightly delayed to the Autumn due to essential international conservation paperwork.

The team have been working closely with and supported by CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) to ensure Aqua’s safe and legal transfer.

Emma Ogborne, Head West Section Keeper at Noah's Ark Zoo Farm, adds:

"Arusha and Tau have really settled into their new home. They love relaxing on the hilltop and taking in the view, and Tau in particular relishes the challenge of leaping for meat from the feeding pole – while Arusha is happy to let him do the hard work before joining in! The bamboo remains their favourite shady spot for an afternoon snooze.

"Our team of expert keepers can’t wait to welcome Aqua to his new, enriching habitat. Every detail has been designed to give him the space, stimulation, and variety he needs to thrive – including a large pool, perfect for a tiger that loves the water! We’re excited to see him explore, play, and truly make the space his own."

By visiting Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm this summer, the public can help raise the funds needed to complete Aqua’s habitat and his ongoing care, while supporting the charity’s ongoing efforts to create an environment where animals thrive and visitors can forge meaningful connections with wildlife.