5 July 2010
Lions and Cheetahs in Mauritius? Yes, indeed.
Since 2007 Safari Adventures have been offering visitors to the island the chance to walk and interact with big cats. They're based in Casela Nature and Leisure Park on the west coast of Mauritius between Flic en Flac and Tamarin.
A New Lease of Life for the Lions
The lions and Cheetahs were originally bred in captivity in South Africa, and were taken to Safari Adventures in Mauritius after being abandoned by their mothers.
Now, thanks the the expert handling and rearing experience of the Safari team, the animals look forward to a long and healthy life in as natural an environment as can be provided for them.
It’s interesting to note that the animals are not fed at regular times each day. The handlers noticed that if the feeding times are staggered the lions don’t pace their enclosures - behaviour that’s often seen in other zoos and parks.
The lions are all hand raised to make them more willing to be approached by humans, but the emphasis is still on letting them live as natural a life as possible. To this end their training is based on an encouragement/reward model which enables them to build trust whilst still retaining their instinct to do what they’d do in the wild.
Walks and Interaction
Safari Adventures offers both walks with lions and interactions with cheetahs.
The walks take place every morning and afternoon and last for about two hours. Water and refreshments are available, and guests are expected to wear suitable clothing such as comfortable shoes and long trousers. Don’t forget your camera either as photo opportunities like this don’t come along very often.
There is a minimum height requirement of 1.5 metres for guests so the activity isn’t suitable for very young children, although there is an observation area. From there, those who are not tall enough to get up close to the animals can still enjoy watching their activities.
Long term plans by the owners include an exclusive breeding programme in the hope of establishing a permanent pride on Mauritius. They also hope to expand the scope of their animal conservation efforts by including other animals such as tigers and wolves.
Taking a walk on the wild side is a short drive away if you’re staying at the Hilton Mauritius Resort and Spa. About 20 minutes in the car will see you there.
And with Mauritius being a small island, even if you’re staying further up the coast at The Oberoi, Pointe Aux Piments, a comfortable 45 minutes along a relatively straight run makes the excursion a pleasant diversion.
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