LONDON, Sept. 13 (Xinhua) -- A giant solar farm in the shape of a lion is to be built to help provide power to Whipsnade Zoo, the Zoological Society of London (ZSL) announced Monday.
The solar lion will span over 0.8 hectare and provide a third of the zoo's electricity under a plan to radically reduce its carbon footprint.
Although the lion will not be visible at ground level, it will be visible to air passengers flying overhead, the ZSL said.
Whipsnade in Bedfordshire is 48 km north of London, home to its sister zoo, the ZSL's London Zoo.
"The 'solar lion' will be constructed at the opposite end of the zoo to the Whipsnade White Lion, 'bookending' the huge Zoo with a second, enormous lion figure, and, although it will not be visible from the surrounding hills, will create a spectacle to be seen from the skies," said a ZSL spokeswoman.
"The 'solar lion' is part of Whipsnade Zoo's mission to make itself net zero carbon by 2035. Other plans to achieve this include reducing emissions caused by electricity and fossil fuel use for heating by 50 percent by 2030, as well as engaging with the zoo's supply chain to reduce indirect emissions," she added.
Owen Craft, the zoo's chief operating officer, said: "As a global conservation charity, we know only too well the devastating effect climate change is having on the world's wildlife, as well as on the survival of our own species.
"I hope that our Whipsnade Solar Lion, when she is in place, will be a beacon of light reminding people that change is not only necessary, but possible." Enditem
