Longleat lions practice ball skills for Euro 2024

The star of the show's been Harry Mane

Author: Faye TryhornPublished 16th Jun 2024
Last updated 16th Jun 2024

The famous Longleat lions are cheering on the Three Lions, as they kick off their Euro 2024 campaign in Germany tonight (Sunday 16th June).

The pride of Wiltshire have been practising their ball skills - and maybe showing their footballing counterparts a trick or two!

Harry Mane chasing one ball down the wing!

Male lion Harry Mane (yes, that's his actual name!) has been playing alongside lionesses Betty, Little A and Malinka in their enclosure.

Their keepers say it's good enrichment for the lions, and something a little different to pass the time (and balls!)

Betty the lioness might have got a bit rough with one of the footballs!

Longleat’s connections with the beautiful game go all the way back to England’s World Cup win in July 1966.

The safari park - which was the first to open outside Africa in the same year - was visited by the World Cup referees which included Gottfried Dienst, who officiated in the final when England famously beat West Germany 4-2.

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