An unusual sign
Sign at Monarto Zoo, South Australia
I was amused by this sign on one of the gates at Monarto Zoo, an open range zoo in South Australia.
At first glance you may be wondering what is so unusual about it.
It happens to be on a gate leading into the lions’ paddock!
Not the best place to be riding a bike, I’d say.
Lions, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Lions and Rabbits
Lions, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
We enjoy visiting our local Monarto Zoo, just a few miles from home in Murray Bridge. One of the highlights of a visit to this open range zoo is to take the shuttle bus through the African Lion enclosure, a large grassy paddock not unlike the grasslands they would enjoy in their natural environment. The only difference is that they don’t have to hunt for their daily meal.
The lions shown in several photos on this post are sitting on a mound of dirt approximately in the middle of their enclosure. Our tour guide on one trip to the zoo informed us that a large number of rabbits lived in burrows in this mound. A few careless rabbits came out to feed in the first few days the lions had taken up residence and paid the ultimate price. The rabbits have now learned to stay holed up until dusk – after the lions have returned to their night quarters for the evening.
Lions, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Lions, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
African Lions at Monarto Zoo
Lions, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
On our visit to our local Monarto Zoo (just a few minutes’ drive from home in Murray Bridge) last year we had our first look at the new viewing platform looking over the African Lion enclosure. This gives an excellent view of the large paddock where the lions can roam. Fortunately several of the lions were quite close to the platform and I was able to get good photos of them.
Lion viewing platform, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Lions, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Lying around at the zoo
Lions, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Our local zoo is Monarto Zoo which is about a ten minute drive from our home in Murray Bridge. It is the open range part of the Adelaide Zoo. We try to get there several times a year on our membership pass.
One of the more popular exhibits would be the African Lions. The shuttle buses drive through their very large enclosure and one is almost always assured of good views of the animals. On our visit last August several of the pride were taking it easy and just “lying” around.
Lions, Monarto Zoo, South Australia
Lions, Monarto Zoo, South Australia