Lion keeper Reece Oliver has told people to 'keep their eyes peeled' over the future of his enclosure in Strelley Village after two cubs were born at the site. Mr Oliver, 31, was playing a game of football on March 1 when he was interrupted by the news that two cubs had just been born at his enclosure.
Mr Oliver, who is a licensed zookeeper and looks after two lions, Rocky and Rora, had previously told Nottinghamshire Live that the birth of two female cubs, who have been named Ruby and Rosie, was a "big surprise". And he is now considering the future of his enclosure after the surprise birth of the twins.
"We don't need to relocate, we have a big enough enclosure here and we have the facilities - we have two outdoor dens, possibly three, and permission for two indoors here. We have enough here to keep them but relocating could possibly be on the cards.
Read more: Strelley lion keeper's amazement as 2 cubs 'appear' in his enclosure
"I'm sure some in Strelley Village would be pleased to hear that but its not something that is going to happen right now and buildings projects take a long time - so keep your eyes peeled." A recent 1,000 square-metre extension cost £30,000 more than the initial 480 square-metre enclosure built to house lion Rocky, lioness Rora and his Canadian puma Rogue. The enclosure in Strelley is now believed to rival some of Britain's largest zoo lion enclosures.
Parents Rocky and Rora were rescued from captivity in Eastern Europe and Mr Oliver's facility also houses a puma, squirrel monkeys, and a tapir. Mr Oliver said that the enclosure "put Strelley village on the map" and had boosted local businesses but added that some neighbours would be glad if he moved.
"In all honestly, there is 95 percent of people in this area that love it because it brings something to the area. But there's five percent that don't and, like anything, they are a lot louder than the people who agree," he said.
"It's great for businesses in this area. On Sunday we have people turning up looking for Lions, I would have imagined it is bringing a lot of business to the local café.
"We have hundreds of people who are getting out on the bridle pass and using the pub as well. It's great for the community and, personally, I think it puts Strelley village on the map. I go everywhere and people ask about the 'bloke with the lions' and I say that I've heard of him.
"But will we relocate? It's on the cards, there are some possible wheels in motion at the moment. Some people happy about that but some people wouldn't." Residents of Strelley Village had previously shared their mixed opinions on the enclosure with Nottinghamshire Live, following Mr Oliver's plan to extend one of his enclosures and build a new lions' den, which is now complete.
