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Wildlife park mourns death of 'iconic' white lion
Wildlife park mourns death of 'iconic' white lion

Yahoo

time09-05-2025

  • General
  • Yahoo

Wildlife park mourns death of 'iconic' white lion

A white lion that was a wildlife park's "beloved icon" has died at the age of 18. Casper was known for his distinctive roar that could be heard for miles around the Isle of Wight, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary said. The lion, born at West Midlands Safari Park in 2006, became ill and was put to sleep on Thursday, the sanctuary added. Staff said they were carefully monitoring Casper's half-sister Frosty, due to the pair's celebrated bond of affection. At the age of three, Casper was separated from his African-born parents at the Bewdley park. He arrived at what later became Wildheart Animal Sanctuary on a rare snowy day on the Isle of Wight in January 2010. Casper's half-sister Frosty came to the island three years later in 2013. It took a year for the pair to integrate but they became inseparable, the sanctuary said. Animal manager Marc Fox said: "Whether basking together in the sun or snuggling up in the hide, grooming one another, or cosying up on the firehose hammock, their bond was one of loyalty, affection, and trust." Mr Fox said Casper had endearing traits, including a fascination with the smell of freshly cut grass and a fear of new objects in his enclosure. He said: "Phenomenally strong and powerful as a younger lion, Casper always left an unforgettable impression on everyone who laid eyes on him. "Even in his later years when he was physically less capable, his majesty and presence were unmatched, as were his impressive roars from his rock that could be heard across Sandown." The sanctuary said it would consider whether to bring in a new companion for Frosty or move her closer to the centre's other lions. White lions are a genetic variant of the African lion and are uniquely found in one part of South Africa, according to the Global White Lion Protection Trust. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram. Uganda the white lion dies at wildlife park The Big Cat Sanctuary welcomes two white lionesses Tributes after rare white lion dies at safari park Wildheart animal sanctuary

Isle of Wight wildlife park mourns death of 'iconic' white lion
Isle of Wight wildlife park mourns death of 'iconic' white lion

BBC News

time09-05-2025

  • General
  • BBC News

Isle of Wight wildlife park mourns death of 'iconic' white lion

A white lion that was a wildlife park's "beloved icon" has died at the age of was known for his distinctive roar that could be heard for miles around the Isle of Wight, Wildheart Animal Sanctuary lion, born at West Midlands Safari Park in 2006, became ill and was put to sleep on Thursday, the sanctuary said they were carefully monitoring Casper's half-sister Frosty, due to the pair's celebrated bond of affection. At the age of three, Casper was separated from his African-born parents at the Bewdley arrived at what later became Wildheart Animal Sanctuary on a rare snowy day on the Isle of Wight in January half-sister Frosty came to the island three years later in took a year for the pair to integrate but they became inseparable, the sanctuary said. Animal manager Marc Fox said: "Whether basking together in the sun or snuggling up in the hide, grooming one another, or cosying up on the firehose hammock, their bond was one of loyalty, affection, and trust."Mr Fox said Casper had endearing traits, including a fascination with the smell of freshly cut grass and a fear of new objects in his said: "Phenomenally strong and powerful as a younger lion, Casper always left an unforgettable impression on everyone who laid eyes on him."Even in his later years when he was physically less capable, his majesty and presence were unmatched, as were his impressive roars from his rock that could be heard across Sandown."The sanctuary said it would consider whether to bring in a new companion for Frosty or move her closer to the centre's other lions are a genetic variant of the African lion and are uniquely found in one part of South Africa, according to the Global White Lion Protection Trust. You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.

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