Big cat's epic journey

Auckland Zoo’s male lion Lazarus was air-freighted across the Tasman yesterday to start a new life at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo, New South Wales.

The move, part of an Australasian regional breeding programme for this big cat species, paves the way for Auckland Zoo’s other male lion, Ngala, to step up and lead the pride of three females, and hopefully breed. Lazarus has fathered six offspring since his arrival in 2003.

Lazarus, who weighs 200kg, travelled in a special custom-built steel crate on a Tasman Cargo Airlines Boeing 757 freighter aircraft that was also be carrying express parcels, boutique clothing, fresh fish and other food products.