Watch: Face to face with a Lion - I’m a Celeb star and Lioness Jill Scott gets up close with King of the Jungle
- 10 months ago
Jill Scott shows she is still queen of the jungle as she comes face-to-face with a LION - which tried to hug her.
The former England Lioness and winner of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here was guest of honour at a zoo when the huge beast made its move.
Footage shows 36-year-old Jill bravely standing her ground as the lion pawed at her from the other side of a glass screen.
The 5ft 11in tall midfield legend looked unfazed as the animal opened its huge jaws just inches from Jill’s head.
Jill, who retired from football after the Lioness’s Euro 2022 triumph, opened the new ‘Lion Ridge’ attraction at West Midlands Safari Park on Monday (3/7).
It allows visitors to walk around the ‘African Village’ where they come face-to-face with the animals.
It is home to four male lions, who were all born at the park in 2019 – brothers Hodge, Harabi and Havoc and their half-brother, Hercules.
Managing Director Chris Kelly said: “The heart of this project has always been the focus to upgrade our animal housing and facilities to provide stimulating and enriching environments for the animals.
“We really are proud of what we’ve achieved to date in giving the wildlife here the best in welfare facilities.
“I was honoured to officially open the area alongside Jill Scott, watched by the team who have been involved in the project.
“With Jill holding such amazing accolades as being a former England professional footballer and winner of I'm a Celebrity, she was the perfect person to cut the ribbon and we were delighted to have her and her family with us.”
Jill and her family stayed in one of the new Lion Lodges which will open to the public on Friday (7/7).
The former England Lioness and winner of I'm a Celebrity... Get Me Out of Here was guest of honour at a zoo when the huge beast made its move.
Footage shows 36-year-old Jill bravely standing her ground as the lion pawed at her from the other side of a glass screen.
The 5ft 11in tall midfield legend looked unfazed as the animal opened its huge jaws just inches from Jill’s head.
Jill, who retired from football after the Lioness’s Euro 2022 triumph, opened the new ‘Lion Ridge’ attraction at West Midlands Safari Park on Monday (3/7).
It allows visitors to walk around the ‘African Village’ where they come face-to-face with the animals.
It is home to four male lions, who were all born at the park in 2019 – brothers Hodge, Harabi and Havoc and their half-brother, Hercules.
Managing Director Chris Kelly said: “The heart of this project has always been the focus to upgrade our animal housing and facilities to provide stimulating and enriching environments for the animals.
“We really are proud of what we’ve achieved to date in giving the wildlife here the best in welfare facilities.
“I was honoured to officially open the area alongside Jill Scott, watched by the team who have been involved in the project.
“With Jill holding such amazing accolades as being a former England professional footballer and winner of I'm a Celebrity, she was the perfect person to cut the ribbon and we were delighted to have her and her family with us.”
Jill and her family stayed in one of the new Lion Lodges which will open to the public on Friday (7/7).