Lions living in the Orana Wildlife Park in Christchurch, New Zealand, have an unusual view of visitors, according to ABC News. In the park, the lions get to look at the human visitors in a cage, rather than the other way around.
Human visitors are in a specially designed cage that can hold up to 20 people. The cage is then attached to a flatbed truck, which takes visitors through the African Lion Habitat. Lions can then climb onto the cage to get a better look at their visitors, while delighted tourists get an up-close look at lions in the wild.
"The Lion Encounter provides a wonderful opportunity to appreciate the size and power of these awesome predators," according to the web site.
The Lion Encounter experience takes place at feeding time (that doesn't make it sound more dangerous!) when the lion keepers feed the animals from within the cage, drawing them towards the people.
The lions then crawl, climb and stand on the mesh cage, giving visitors a chance to watch them feed in their habitat, according to park officials.
"Our cats often climb onto the roof of the vehicle so you can get eye-to-eye with these magnificent animals," the web site reads.
The cage departs every day at 2:30 p.m. Tickets are sold on a first-come, first-serve basis for the first 20 buyers. Tickets are $23, which is $40 in New Zealand dollars, and can be pre-paid and reserved in advance but must be purchased for a specific day. Participants must be over 1.4 meters tall in height.
In addition to the Lion Encounter, the park also offers the opportunity to "Meet a Cheetah," and "Feed a Tiger." Lemurs can also be fed.
According to the park, allowing visitors the opportunity to feed a tiger is a great way to raise awareness of the plight of tigers, a highly endangered animal, while also giving visitors a memorable experience.
Video of the experience in the cage.
This article is copyrighted by Travelers Today, the travel news leader
