Scientists changed how zoo lions eat. Their wild side came out

Giving zoo lions whole carcasses on a feast-and-fast schedule appears to bring out more natural behavior. The lions spent nearly three times longer feeding, engaged in more tearing and manipulating of food, and rested more heavily after meals. Their activity then increased gradually during the fasting period, closely resembling the rhythm seen in wild lions.

Scientists changed how zoo lions eat. Their wild side came out. Their wild side came out Date: October 7, 2026. Published in Applied Animal Behaviour Science, the research was conducted by Adelaide University and Monarto Safari Park in South Australia.

Scientists studied a group of adult male African lions after animal care staff added whole carcasses every nine days to an existing feeding routine designed around periods of eating and fasting. Continuous video monitoring over three months showed that the lions spent much more time eating when carcasses were provided, rested for longer afterward, and gradually became more active as the fasting period continued. Together, these patterns more closely resembled the natural feeding cycles seen in wild lions.