Puna trying not to get wet

In fact, the overcast conditions probably helped to enable folks to get some fairly good images, as the lack of strong sunshine made life a lot easier because no harsh shadows of fencing were there to impinge on the images. On both days the cats themselves behave extremely well, with the possible exception of the Amur leopards, one of whom decided that Mark, the Director of the Foundation, would make a nice dinner and tried to start on his feet before he could even get on the roof of their enclosure!

There were, of course, some rather amusing highlights. Well, they were amusing if you weren't the victim and, on reflection, even if you were! An example was on the Saturday when a group of photographers were standing around the Lions enclosure photographing the Lions who were, as usual, being very co-operative, standing first one way and then the other, laying down and yawning (which looks very much like a big roar on camera). Inevitably, some photographers concentrated on one of the three animals, waiting for that momment, you know, the one that counts. The difficulty with this, and an enclosure holding more than one animal, is what the others are doing while you are concentrating on the subject. Those that had been before know this, but unfortunatly, one lady photographer who shall remain nameless (sorry Rosemary, but I don't want to embarrass you) was on her first visit and didn't know! as she was standing on the corner, one of the lions she was not watching wandered past her, stopped and promptly relieved his bladder straight over her trousers.

Photographing Lions

The amusing part was that a couple of 'Gentlemen' close by had seen what was about to happen and, rather than warn the possible victim, decided the better part of valour was to get back out of the line of possible fire. Not only that, but they refused to go anywhere near the poor Lady until she had effected a change of clothes! I suppose the bad weather forecast had some benefit in that she had a change with her!

Only going to be one winner!

Many of you will have seen that Ade always carries a small towel in order to mop his sweating brow. (We all know how much effort he puts into his photography). On this occasion, one of the three lions decided that, having put it against the fence, Ade did not really need it and it would be fun to play with. Now Ade is a big lad, but this tug of war (see picture) was only ever going to have one outcome!

And that winner is...

The Lions posed quite happily for some people. Fran French.

Pepo the Cheetah tried to hide in the grass. Shirley Andrews

Artem and Artur argue over some scraps

Even Ranshan, the Snow Leopard was posing for the cameras.

Siberian Male sizing Shirley up fopr lunch!

The Siberian male is a big chap!