I'm afraid what you were told was not accurate. The pair of lions currently on-show is not capable of producing offspring (not that they don't make an attempt from time to time...makes for an awkward safari).when we were there in august we were told the lions were not out because they were mating. not sure if this is still the case, but thats what were were told.
We always go first thing in the morning and have always seen them (every time we've gone). Not to say they weren't removed for some reason but that does seem a bit odd (not seeing or hearing about them).
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