Note: The free lion show at the casino was reported closing at the end of January, 2012, part of a renovation plan focused on night life clientele and less on walk-in tourists. Bummer!
"Lion Habitat" is a three-story-tall glass box in the middle of the casino floor in which a pride of lions lounges. Even though mealtime draws a crowd several deep around the perimeter, it's the best time to visit. Additional viewing is provided by a glass walkway through the box that leads to the gift shop.
When we were there, the keepers hurled bits of meat that stuck to the glass at eye level, giving scores of phone camera-wielding tourists a thrill as the lions licked it off in front of their lenses. The lions retreated to the walkway's less well-lit edges for an occasional pee.
We know that the PETA people are upset with Fitzgerald's Casino, downtown, because it has a tic-tac-toe-playing chicken in a box. Imagine how they feel about this thing.
