An upside down zoo: visitors are in cages as animals roam free around them

Amazing zoo in South Africa challenges everything we know about these places, renowned for giving people the experience of getting up close to captive wild animals they might never be able to see live . Corn GG Conservation in Harrismith the logic is reversed and it is humans who lock themselves in cages to enter the habitat where the animals roam free.

And not just any animals, because the main attractions of this particular place are the lions, the kings of the jungle, because more than a zoo, it is a sanctuary for rescued felines.

To visit GG Conservation, people have to enter a few plexiglass cages parked in the center of the lion’s den, giving animal enthusiasts the chance to safely interact with the 77 rescued big cats that live in the sanctuary. .

“We have been offering this experience for almost two years”Nonprofit wildlife park manager Suzanne Scott, 53, told Caters. “The safety of our guests and the big cats is the top priority.”

For 2,000 to 3,000 South African rand, or about US $ 134 to 197, tourists can lock themselves in GG’s “professional photography cage” for 45 minutes starting at 6.30am. Until 7:15 am. Daily, depending on the weather and the staff available. Of course, children under 14 are not allowed.

What can be done is take as many photos as possible, so guests are encouraged to show their cameras to the animals and try to get the best photos as they attempt to break through the acrylic walls of the cages.

“An engineer checks [la jaula] regularly to make sure she can safely support the weight in case a lion jumps on her ”, Scott spoke about the big cats, which can range in weight from 270 to 570 pounds.

GG Conservation is named after its founder Glen Garriff, who has dedicated his life to the conservation of South Africa’s lion population, which has fallen exponentially in recent years.. The cage was a gift from a German photographer who regularly visits the sanctuary and who designed it to be able to take close-up photos of the lions that inhabit it.

The plexiglass cube can accommodate three people at a time and is equipped with various “Breathing holes”Flyers offering air supplies to unwary detainees.

“These holes are completely safe and too small for a lion’s paw to fit through.”, ensures the conservation site.

And while the zoo makes “safety” its top priority, it also alerts visitors to the unpredictability of bird species.

“We cannot guarantee the reaction of the lions”, says the site, “But we will do our best to make sure you have a fantastic experience.”

And fans of the fierce felines who have visited the sanctuary have praised the adventure in the comments they leave on social media.

“The whole experience at GG Conservation has been incredible”, wrote a guest in a testimonial.

“The lion cage really allowed me to get up close and personal with these amazing specimens. “writes another. “So much so that I could smell them.

And it’s a good time for the big cats too.

“It offers lions enrichment in the form of mental and physical stimulation, which is good for any animal in captivity.”, Dijo Scott.

The resources that are collected from the cage experience are intended for the upkeep of the shelter where this rescued herd lives.

“It is a non-profit sanctuary that relies solely on donations.”Scott explained. “Bucket fees provide us with a small income that directly helps us feed and protect the lions in our care.”

GG will soon be welcoming 17 other big cats that were recently rescued from a former zoo in the Middle East.

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