Twenty-five sculptures of lions are currently in residence at Waterloo in London in the park opposite the Old Vic theatre. The sculptures can be seen here until March, but they will also be visiting other cities and locations throughout the year, although the schedule is yet to be announced. The sculptures have been placed by Born Free, a charity that helps protect lions. The "Year of the Lion" is a separate event to celebrate the founder's 100th birthday. The sculptures have been created by artists Gillie and Marc, and you may recognise similar sculptures of elephants that appeared last year at Spitalfields, which were also designed by them ("Herd of Hope" in Spitalfields).
The numbers of lions is declining. Born Free is hoping to protect the lions and provide a safer world for them. The exhibition lists out a few of the actual lions helped over the years and their stories. The main sculpture depicts a lion on top of a 4x4 vehicle, and the lion depicted is Elsa, a lion that Born Free has helped. The other stories of lions were located on plaques at the base on some of the sculptures, but many of the sculptures did not have one. You can read these stories below.
Black: This lion was the last to ever perform in a circus in Bulgaria, and he now lives in South Africa and is cared for by Born Free.
Nelson: This lion was rescued from a zoo in France that went bankrupt; he now lives in South Africa at the Born Free sanctuary.
Hilts: This lion was saved from being hunted and is being cared for by Born Free.
Cora: She was rescued from a Spanish zoo in 2017 and is being cared for in South Africa by Born Free.
Louga: This lion performed at circuses in France until his rescue and placement at the Born Free sanctuary in South Africa.
Cecil: Cecil was a wild lion who lived in Zimbabwe until he was shot and killed by trophy hunters.
Christian: This was a male lion who was captured and sold by Harrods before being released back into the wild in 1971.
King: This lion was born in 2017 and kept as a pet in an apartment in Paris; he was rescued in the same year.
Iman: This female lion was raised destined for the pet trade, but she was fortunately rescued in 2019 and lives her days at the sanctuary in Ethiopia.
The sculptures are located at Waterloo Green, opposite the Old Vic theatre with the Jubilee line exit and entrance of the underground at Waterloo being the closest exit. The sculptures can be seen until March.
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