Big Cat Visitors Take Pride of Place at Dreamworld

Dreamworld is getting ready to welcome two first-time visitors to the Gold Coast as they head north for the winter to bask in the warmer weather while enjoying the recently completed Tiger Island precinct.

Image: Dreamworld. Holden taking a walk while Kimba sits back ‐ these white lion brothers will call Dreamworld home for the next two weeks.

Holden and Kimba are two-and-a-half-year-old male African white lions and will call Dreamworld home for the next two weeks, giving South East Queensland locals and visitors a rare up close look at these big cats in authentic surrounds.

The brothers are part of just a handful of white lions in captivity around the world and will be on holidays from their permanent home at Altina Wildlife Park, west of Wagga Wagga in New South Wales.

The Lair at Tiger Island will be transformed into sub-Saharan territory for the two African Lions, teaming with African ambience and modelled on Timbavati Lodge nestled in the world-famous Kruger National Park.  

Guests will experience the adrenalin rush of coming face to face with these apex predators while observing their natural behaviour from the other side of the triple laminated toughened glass. 

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"This world-class Tiger Island precinct was completed earlier this month with the opening of the Up Close Experience and every aspect is carefully designed to reflect the natural environment of our big cats," said Executive General Manager of Life Sciences, Al Mucci.

"Welcoming Holden and Kimba to Dreamworld will further help conservation initiatives for cats in the wild through the Dreamworld Wildlife Foundation and will raise awareness of the plight of our vulnerable and endangered big cats around the world."

The African Lion is listed as vulnerable with numbers in the wild decreasing due to poaching and loss of habitat. 

Guests will get the chance to come face to face with the white lions at Dreamworld from Tuesday 27 June to Thursday 13 July, 2017.