Photography Collection #2 'Lion's Only Light'

Griffith Park, in Los Angeles, is home to the now-abandoned 'L.A. Zoo'. Opened in the 60's, this zoo claimed to offer the animals a natural habitat, in which they would thrive. Unfortunately this era was full of misinformation and lack of education.

The lions cage was a cramped 600sq ft (that's about the size of the average living room/ dining room!) And housed between 1-3 cats at a time. The front of the cage acted like an opening to a cave (because lions live in caves apparently??) And the rear of the cage, as shown in the photo, was where the lion's food was dropped in. They only saw daylight through this hole, except during the zoo's open hours. During this time they could explore the small viewing area in front of the cave opening.

The zoo was shut down in the 90's, due to lack of people animal facilities and care.