Lion pride spotted playing with pumpkins at safari park

A pride of lions were spotted playing with pumpkins ahead of the launch of a new festive-themed adventure programme at a safari park.

The eight feline friends at Blair Drummond Safari Park – Karis, Libby, Reid, Murray, Isla, Thistle, Hope and Faith – were also spotted pawing at a bale of hay decorated as a pumpkin.

The park is putting on a range of Halloween activities for visitors from October 8 to 31.

The programme includes trips to a pumpkin patch, a display of giant spider-themed hay bales and fire pits for toasting marshmallows.

Liz Gunn, head of marketing at Blair Drummond, said: “It was great getting into the festive spirit at the lion enclosure before our Halloween adventure programme starts on Friday.

“The lions were really enjoying playing with the pumpkins. They also loved pulling at the straw from the giant pumpkin-themed hay bale that we put in the enclosure for them.

“One of our keepers Lorna Mitchell carved beautiful lion shapes into the pumpkins, but I don’t think the pride appreciated them as much as we did.”

She added: “We are really looking forward to welcoming visitors to this programme.

“There’s all sorts to see from giant Halloween-themed hay bales to fire pits to pumpkin patches.”