Mark my words...sooner or later we'll all be hearing a terrible news release about a mauling at this exhibit. it happened at The Mirage a few years back...and I'm not talking about the terrible mauling that happened between Roy & Montecore.
The two tigers in the hallway exhibit had an off day. The male then tore the throat out of his female companion. In front of room full of viewers. That exhibit is no longer there.
It wasn't easy for me to assign a star rating for MGM's Lion Habitat. On the one hand, the lions appear to be happy enough...well fed, playful even. The viewing room offers plenty of up close shots. The set up includes an teaching area that tells about the experience of the lions involved.
But it's disturbing to see several trainers locked in with them for all of the hours they're on exhibit. Sooner or later...one of these grown lions will have a bad day.
The trainers feed the lions chunks of meat...by hand. They tussle their manes...try to play with the lions and even spike their manes up straight..to get a laugh from the crowds.
The exhibit is free to watch..which is a plus. Particularly in Las Vegas where even Starbucks charges for an empty water cup.