Asiatic lion

Is there more development expected beyond the fence i've taken out of the background?

The zoo owns the land behind the new enclosure as far as the Shropshire Union canal, more than 200m to the north. Obviously that land could be developed as a new part of the zoo one day, but the current plans involve the south side of the zoo.

He seems to have an unusually large and dark mane (including belly mane) for an Asian lion.

@Arizona Docent I agree. Possibly Barbary?

@Arizona Docent London’s male is the same. I remember reading somewhere that the coldness of Britain has an effect on mane size.

@AthleticBinturong Intersting, I have never heard of coldness doing that to a Lion before. Thanks for the information.

@Luke da Zoo nerd No, there is a studbook for Asian lions. Zoos in the programme are not allowed to keep African lions at all.

Asian lion holders are not allowed to keep African with one notable exception (which also happens to be my favorite zoo of all time).

@Arizona Docent which is what zoo?

@JoeDK14 Le Parc Des Felins in France. They have four different and massive lion enclosures (two or three acres each). I am making no affirmation or denial of the validity of lion subspecies by listing these four "types"; I am just stating what the park signage says.
Asiatic lion
Angolan lion
East African lion
White South African lion