Roaring into World Lion Day with Safina Lion Conservation Fund
10th Aug 2026
This World Lion Day, we’re celebrating the incredible lions that call Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm home, while shining a spotlight on the conservation work helping to protect their wild counterparts.
To mark the occasion, we’re delighted to be welcoming the Safina Lion Conservation Fund to the Zoo, who will be joining us for a special lion talk at 3pm and a touch table where visitors can learn more about these incredible big cats and the challenges they face in the wild.
About Safina Lion Conservation Fund
The Safina Lion Conservation Fund is a charity dedicated to conserving and monitoring wild lion populations, while working towards a future where lions can thrive alongside the communities who share their habitats.
Their work focuses on conservation, education and reducing human-lion conflict. Their flagship projects, the Future Kings Project and the Better Bomas Project, address some of the key challenges facing wild lion populations and the communities living alongside them.
Sadly, lions have experienced significant population declines. Once found across much of Africa, the Middle East and parts of Asia, there are now fewer than 23,000 lions estimated to remain in the wild.
Habitat loss and fragmentation, human-wildlife conflict and poaching all pose serious threats to lions.
As lions require large territories and live in complex social groups, they can sometimes come into conflict with people, particularly where livestock and wild lions share the same landscape. Conservation organisations such as Safina play an important role in finding solutions that allow both lions and local communities to thrive.
Meet Our Lions
Here at Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, visitors can meet our two African lions, Arusha and her son, Tau.
Tau is the grandson of Safina, the lion who inspired the Safina Lion Conservation Fund, through his late father Masai, who was born at Linton Zoo in 2009.
Safina’s story continues to be an important part of Tau’s family history, creating a special connection between our lions and the conservation work being carried out to protect lions in the wild.
Arusha and Tau are now enjoying their new and improved habitat at the Zoo, which has been carefully designed to provide a more naturalistic and engaging environment for our lions.
Designed by specialist zoo architect Jonathan McLoughlin of zoo design consultancy Dearadh Zu, the habitat features elevated mounds, large boulders and plenty of opportunities for climbing, exploring and relaxing.
The design also gives visitors the chance to enjoy immersive views of the lions while learning more about their behaviour, biology and conservation.
Join us this World Lion Day
If you’re visiting the Zoo on World Lion Day, make sure you head over to our lion habitat to see Arusha and Tau and learn more about these incredible animals.
You can also meet the team from Safina Lion Conservation Fund at their touch table and join their special talk at 3pm to discover more about lions, the threats they face in the wild and the conservation work helping to protect them.
Together, we can help ensure that lions continue to have a future in the wild, thriving alongside the communities who share their home.
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