Cull: Lions are a big tourist attraction at Longleat Safari Park (Picture: PA)

A pride of six lions has been destroyed at Longleat Safari Park after an increased population led to fears of ‘excessive violent behaviour’.

An adult male called Henry, a lioness named Louisa and four of her cubs were put to death at the Wiltshire attraction in an operation supervised by vets.

News of the cull came as a zoo in Copenhagen put down a giraffe despite widespread anger.

The Longleat lions were injected with a lethal substance from a tranquiliser gun, according to the Mail on Sunday.


Employees were reportedly in tears when they found out about the cull, which had been questioned by some.



According to a whistleblower, Henry was put down early last month.

The former employee said: ‘I don’t think there was a reason to do it.

‘He had been vasectomised so he couldn’t breed. Henry could have been sold to another zoo.

‘It all happened while the park was closed for the winter so no one knew what was going on.

‘A lot of people who know what happened are very upset and angry.’

Louisa the lioness arrived at Longleat in 2011 from Noah’s Ark Zoo Farm, in Wraxall, Somerset.

A Noah’s Ark spokesman said: ‘We have been told nothing. Apart from health problems, I can’t think of any other reason why a lion like Louisa would have to be put down.

‘We will be contacting Longleat for more information.’

A Longleat spokesman said its lion population had increased 40 per cent after a large increase in pregnancies.

‘This has resulted in excessive violent behaviour, putting 21 of them at risk,’ he added.

‘Sadly one lion, Henry, had to be put down earlier this year due to injuries from an attack within the enclosure.

‘The further lions referred to were put down due to associated and severe health risks.

‘A further five lions from this enclosure will be moved to other premises. Longleat takes the utmost care in trying to protect the welfare and safety of its animals.’