Dreamworld to open white lion exhibit

Dreamworld has confirmed that it is to undertake major construction work to create a brand new interactive enclosure capable of displaying various exotic animals.
Due to open in time for April school holidays, the first animals in the display will be two rare white lions. The lions will be temporarily relocated to the Gold Coast themepark from their permanent home at Canberra's National Zoo and Aquarium.
With just a handful of white lions in captivity around the world, this will be the first chance for many locals and visitors to view this breed of big cat in such authentic surroundings and at so close a range.
Spotted for the first time in the 1930s in the Timbavati region of South Africa it wasn't until the 1970s that the White Lion was rediscovered with the first breeds occurring in the 1980's at Johannesburg Zoo.
The three year old brother and sister duo named Jake and Mishka will inhabit the new 334 metre² enclosure where visitors will be able to observe their natural behavior.
Dreamworld's General Manager Life Sciences, Al Mucci, explains that this playful pair will provide plenty of enjoyment for observers, stating "these white lions are still in an adolescent stage and as such are really playful and active. They're both big cats with Jake weighing in at over 200 kilograms, so guests will really be able to see the sheer power as they play with each other and adapt to their temporary surroundings."
The new exhibit is to be purpose built to suit a range of animals and future plans for the themepark will offer locals and visitors the chance to observe different species at various times of the year.
Mucci adds "white lions will be the first exotic animal we introduce to the new enclosure and we are looking into other exotic carnivores that have never before been displayed on the Gold Coast."
The new enclosure will be located near the entrance to Tiger Island and will feature many interactive elements where guests will be able to walk alongside the displayed animal while remaining safely behind the facilities purpose engineered, triple laminated toughened glass.