Very realistic fake, dead lion freaks people out in central London

The ' lion' is carried through London's Trafalgar Square on March 10, 2016.

Image: David Parry/PA Wire

By Liza HearonMar 10, 2016

LONDON — It takes a lot to capture the attention of stoic Londoners going about their business, but a seemingly dead jungle creature being dragged through Trafalgar Square may just have done the trick.
ZSL London Zoo transported a very realistic replica of an Asiatic lion through the city Thursday to its new home — and drummed up some publicity for a new exhibit in the process.

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Startled commuters did double takes, and wondered if the animal was OK. And really, who can blame them.

Meeting the 'lion.'

Image: David Parry/PA Wire

Image: David Parry/PA Wire

I definitely just saw 4 @OfficialZSL staff carrying an unconscious lion past Trafalgar Square.

Mulling if this is a good or a bad augur.

— Madeleine (@MadeleineKBurns) March 10, 2016

The lion will be part of a new exhibit called "Land of the Lions," which opens March 25, ZSL told Mashable in a statement. The replica breathes, has a heartbeat and has wounds for budding vets to learn how to treat.
In the exhibit, children will be called up to help "treat" the injured lion by holding drips and tending to its injuries.
“Our replica lion is so realistic, visitors joining in the action will get an incredible sense of what it’s like for the teams working in India to rescue injured animals," ZSL's live interpretation team leader Ruth Thomas said.
All that knowledge is well and good now but didn't help the poor, confused commuters.

Image: David Parry/PA Wire

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Topics: fake animals, UK, Watercooler, zsl london

Image: David Parry/PA Wire

http://www.tribuneindia.com/news/nation/310-asiatic-lions-died-in-gir-in-5-yrs/206824.html