ZSL London Zoo | Community engagement and sponsorships | Who we are | Liontrust Asset Management PLC

Liontrust sponsors the lions at ZSL London Zoo

ZSL London Zoo

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Championing Asiatic Lions

We are proud to have supported ZSL’s Asiatic lion campaign for over eight years, which is dedicated to protecting the last remaining lions that reside as a single population in Western India’s Gir National Forest. With Liontrust’s support, ZSL is actively working with local partners in a variety of ways to ensure the survival of this population of just over 600 Asiatic lions:

  • Train zoo keepers and veterinarians at Sakkarbaug Zoo in lion care and welfare
  • Improve training of local staff so they can safely transport lions and other dangerous animals away from populated areas
  • Upgrade infrastructure to help care for the lions’ health and wellbeing
  • Establish exhibits and education programmes for local communities and visitors to learn about lion conservation
  • Train and equipping rapid response teams to rescue and rehabilitate injured lions


In addition to their work in the field, ZSL opened a brand new conservation breeding centre, Land of the Lions, on 17 March 2016 at ZSL London Zoo. The exhibit was opened by HM The Queen, and its purpose is to ensure a ‘safety net’ against extinction as well as protecting the genetic viability of species.

Land of the Lions entrance

Bhanu underneath the Gir sign

World Lion Day 2021

ZSL London Zoo’s new Asiatic lioness, Arya, marked her first World Lion Day (Tuesday 10 August 2021) at the Zoo after arriving as part of an internationally coordinated breeding programme for the Critically Endangered species.

The hollowed-out globes were filled with the feline’s favourite breakfast treats to encourage four-year-old Arya to put her hunting skills to good use and sniff out the food hidden inside.

ZSL London Zoo head lion keeper Kathryn Sanders, said: “Arya arrived at ZSL London Zoo in April and has been settling into her new home ever since. Her move is a big deal for the international conservation breeding programme as we strive to preserve and protect a genetically diverse population of the species that’s facing an uncertain future in the wild.

 

“Liontrust’s support for the move was invaluable – moving a big cat is not as simple as packing a bag and booking a ticket – and they ensured this important conservation work could continue despite the difficult times we’ve been through at ZSL. 

 

Sanders continued; “Putting Arya’s breakfast inside the papier mache globes will encourage her to use her incredible sense of smell to find the globes, as she would with prey, and she’ll be kept busy using her sharp claws to tear into the balls.

 

“As an international conservation charity, our vital work to conserve threatened species extends far beyond the boundaries of ZSL London Zoo. Support from organisations like Liontrust means this work can continue, and grow, and we’re delighted to be celebrating this partnership on World Lion Day.”


World Lion Day 2021 World Lion Day 2021 

Return of the Kings

You can learn more about Asiatic lions, Land of the Lions and the important work that ZSL London Zoo undertakes in the Gir Forest with support from Liontrust in our new booklet.
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