Farewell to Shane the Mane, king of the pride

The top-cat, affectionately known as ‘Shane with the Mane’, left for the great pride in the sky late last month, having been the much-loved king of the safari park’s 11-strong lion enclosure.

Dozens of well-wishers logged onto facebook to pay their last respects after safari staff announced the news of Shane’s passing.

Shane, who fathered a litter of cubs which now live at Colchester Zoo and Holland’s Emmen Zoo, will be sorely missed by staff at Woburn Safari Park, who described him as “a big character”.

Carnivore enclosure senior keep, Amy Norris, worked extensively with Shane during his time at the park, said the big cat’s demise was a huge shock to her team.

She said: “It was very sudden and the rest of the pride will definitely be missing his formidable presence – Shane was the only male in the pride with all of his equipment for breeding.

“Shane and his larger than life character will be sorely missed by everyone at Woburn Safari Park; rest in peace Shane.”