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Queen Elizabeth inaugurates lion exhibit at London Zoo

Nine private cabins have been built at the exhibit where visitors can spend a night and view the lions from close range.

By :  naren pulloor
Update: 2016-03-18 07:48 GMT
The Queen received as a gift a photograph of her visit to the zoo 40 years ago when she opened the New Lion Terraces at almost the same spot.
A village located in Gir forest in Gujarat has been recreated so that visitors can get a first-hand look at the endangered Asiatic lions in their natural habitat. (Photo: YouTube Video Grab)
The Duke of Edinburgh, Prince Philip, who accompanied her was presented with a painting by Edward Lear circa 1835 of an Asian lion along with the publication 'The Maneless Lion of Gujarat'.
Queen Elizabeth II stands in front of an Asiatic lioness during a visit to officially open the new Land of the Lions, at London Zoo. (Photo: AP)
The four Asiatic lions housed at the exhibit are named Heidi, Rubi, Indi - all females, and Bhanu - a male.
The new exhibit at the world's oldest scientific zoo will be home to four Asiatic lions and has been set up to transport visitors from the heart of London to the vibrant setting of Sasan Gir in Gujarat in India - the last remaining stronghold of Asiatic lions.
Covering an expanse of 2,500 square metres, visitors will enter 'Land of the Lions' through a grand stone archway and explore Sasan Gir Train Station - where an odd lion might be spotted snoozing on the tracks or roaming just metres away, separated only by wires.
A Hanuman Langur monkey looks through a glass enclosure, part of the new Land of the Lions display, at London Zoo.
Queen Elizabeth II has inaugurated a brand new Asiatic lion exhibit at the iconic London Zoo, a 5.2 million-pound project aiming at transporting visitors to Gujarat to bring them closer than ever to the endangered big cats from the Gir forest.
Nine private cabins have been built at the exhibit where visitors can spend a night and view the lions from close range.

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