Belfast Zoo’s Lily the lion is growing at a wild speed
Belfast Telegraph
Saturday, March 01, 2008

**It says on her website that she has no interactions with humans whatsoever--not even her keepers. I know what their rationale is, but I think that is wrong. Her life is already modified. Why deny her loving contact with humans? She is going to spend her life in a zoo anyway.

One of Belfast Zoo's most celebrated stars is growing up fast — and has just had to move to a new home.

Lily the rare Barbary lion now weighs around 60 pounds and has just taken possession of a new paddock because of her burgeoning size and strength.

The first Barbary lion born in Ireland, Lily devours eight quails and a cow's heart every day and has become too strong to interact with humans.

However, the young lioness still has company in the form of Keepa the Japanese Akita dog.

Lily was rejected by her mother when she was born in the zoo last summer, but was rescued from the paddock by keepers.

Another cub born in the same litter wasn't so lucky and was killed by young mother Fidda.

Since that, Fidda has given birth to two male cubs, Boris and Charlie, and has bonded successfully with them.

Barbary lions — a sub species of lion — have died out in the wild but were saved from extinction when a few individuals were discovered in private collections.

Lily was hand-reared by keeper Linda Frew at her home just outside Belfast and became a celebrity on her return to the zoo.

Now she lives with Keepa the Akita dog, who has helped with the process of developing her natural lion instincts.

To view the latest videos and photos of Lily log on to www.belfastcity.gov.uk/lily. To speak to Lily you can email her on lily@belfastzoo.co.uk.