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London Zoo’s Land of the Lions habitat transports visitors from the heart of London to India’s vibrant Sasan Gir, where they can get closer than ever before to Asiatic lions.
Meet our three lion cubs
These three cubs were born in Spring 2024 to resident parents Bhanu and Arya. They are an important addition to the conservation breeding programme, which safeguards a healthy population of the Critically Endangered species. Surviving only in the Gir Forest in Gujarat, India, the wild population is particularly vulnerable to disease or natural disaster. Recent population estimates suggest that only 600 to 700 individuals remain in the wild.
Visit now to catch sight of dad Bhanu, mum Arya and their three lion cubs, at London Zoo.
Big things come in small packages
Our Lion cubs' names were selected from suggestions that were submitted by schoolchildren around the UK. Supported by our corporate partner Liontrust, the final three names were picked from the shortlist, by Times Radio listeners.
What else can I expect in London Zoo's Land of the Lions?
Land of the Lions was officially opened by HM Queen Elizabeth II and HRH Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, in March 2016. It has been designed to inform, inspire and excite wildlife lovers of all ages and promises to be an experience unlike any other!
To truly capture the essence of the lions’ forest home, the Zoo’s designers visited Gujarat in India for inspiration, and rickshaws, bicycles, sacks of spices, rangers’ huts, and even a life-size truck – much of which was sourced and shipped from India – are dotted around Land of the Lions.
Covering an expanse of 2,500sqm (27,000sqft), visitors will enter London Zoo's Land of the Lions through a grand stone archway and explore Sasan Gir Train Station – where a lion might be spotted snoozing on the tracks – before being awed by the exhibit’s incredible centrepiece, a 360° Temple Clearing where the big cats will roam just metres away.
Visit London Zoo's Land of the Lions
What inspired Land of the Lions?
Find out about how India's Gir forest and the story of humans living side by side with lions inspired the building of our Asiatic Lion habitat and discover how our designers took on the challenge of recreating a slice of India right in the heart of London.
LionTrust at the Zoo
We've teamed up with LionTrust to build a legacy of protection for Asiatic lions out in the wild, and spread awareness and educate people about wildlife conservation. From teaching people millions of people about wildlife through our social media to directly helping us in recovering Asiatic lions in the Gir forest, LionTrust have helped us make a difference for wildlife everywhere.