MGM Grand Lion Habitat
The Lion Habitat is located on the south side of the casino area and was added in July 1999 in order to show people the real significance of the animal that symbolizes MGM Grand.
The habitat is operated by Keith Evans, a feline trainer and conservationist. The lions live in a ranch outside Las Vegas and are rotated through the exposition on a daily basis.
If you enter from Las Vegas Boulevard, take the stairs going down to the left. If you see the Rainforest Café then you are in the right spot and all you need to do is look to the right and follow the walkway. You will reach a circular walkway outside the dome. Follow it and you will see the Lion Habitat. If you enter from Tropicana Boulevard (the casino entrance) just turn to the right and you should see the Lion Habitat. If you enter through the hotel lobby there are signs to help you.
The habitat is about three stories tall and there are plexiglass windows to allow you to look in. There is even a tunnel that runs through the habitat, with plexiglass windows all over (including the floor). At the back of the tunnel sometimes you can take pictures with a lion cub. Behind this area, an additional viewing area was recently opened. The tunnel continues and leads to a gift shop. There is even a TV monitor showing videos about lions.
The lowest level is actually a trench that runs underneath the observation tunnel. The main level consists of two areas, on each side of the tunnel. In the large area, the keepers usually play with the lions. The third level, “Pride Rock”, is made of artificial rock and it’s where the lions rest. There is even a waterfall.
The lions like to stay on the top of the observation tunnel. Usually, after playing with keepers they would go there and take a beauty sleep. They also like to press against the plexiglass (felines are very sociable) and they end up making goofy expression. The keepers also feed the lions, much for visitors’ delight. Once in a while the lions will roar and, of course, the plexiglass can’t contain the sound.
If you want to take pictures, mind that the light is pretty challenging, though a sensitive film or a digital camera would finally do the trick.
You don’t have to pay anything to visit the Lion Habitat and it is opened from 11 a.m. to 10 p.m.
by axxyutza