If you happen to find yourself ‘up west’ at any time throughout the next few weeks, particularly around the Piccadilly district – you might think that you’re in the wildest Serengeti, as where ever you turn you will feel that you are being stalked by a pride of Lions – but these particular beasts are a bit more colourful than your average ‘King of the Jungle’, and they are perfectly safe, so there’s no need for you to have it away on your toes.
From now until the end of September 27 life-sized lions will be roaming the west-end streets.
It’s all part of the “Tusk Lion Trail” – a sculpture exhibition, to highlight the importance of ‘saving’ African Lions, as their population has declined by 50% during the past 25years. 
The ‘Tusk Lion Trail’ has been the UK conservation charity “Tusk”, which has the ‘Duke of Cambridge’ as one of its main patrons.
These 27 ‘lion sculptures are in situ around the streets of Piccadilly Circus – Trafalgar Square – Carnaby Street – Covent Garden – plus other areas throughout the west-end.
As part of this Tusk exhibition, a selection of ‘celebs’ were allotted a lion each, and asked to decorate it.
Amongst the 27 lions there are offerings from the likes of the Stones guitarist Ronnie Wood (a 1st class ‘pencil squeezer’ in his own right) – Noel Fielding – John Cleese & Lee Mack plus many more.
It’s fair to say that these lions are very decorative and eye catching, and certainly light up London’s streets – and, with it being the school holiday period, it was good to see so many children surrounding them and taking an interest in them, and what they stood for – as it is their generation that will be required to ‘make things happen’ with regard to the future conservation and preservation of endangered animals. 
This particular trek was quite a rare treat, as I was accompanied by the ‘GLW’ (e.g. ‘Good Lady Wife’), who (I have to say) did an alright job of tracking the location of each one of these beasts.
In total, there are 47 lions simultaneously exhibited across the globe, as part of this exhibition – and come November, these London lions will be auctioned off, with all proceeds going to the ‘Tusk’ charity.
So –if you you’re ever up-west and in the Piccadilly district before the end of September, then you will most definitely find yourself face to face with one or more of these magnificent colourful beasts – overall, a very positive way to brighten up the London streets.
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See below for the full gallery of photographs taken to accompany this blog
The ‘Three Shirts on a Lion’ lion in ‘Cornhill’ – decorated by comedian/writer ‘Lee Mack’ – with the Royal Exchange in the background
Another view of the Lee Mack decorated ‘Three Shirts on a Lion’ lion in ‘Cornhill’
A lion named ‘The Kings of Lion’ roaming around in Cornhill
A lion named ‘Sirkon’ – in Covent Garden
Another view of ‘Sirkon’ the lion – in Covent Garden
The “Adam Dant” lion under-cover inside Covent Garden
Another view of “Adam Dant” under-cover inside Covent Garden
The ‘Suffering Saviour’ lion situated in Cecil Court – right next to London’s ‘Theatreland’
Me – alongside the ‘Suffering Saviour’ lion in Cecil Court in London’s ‘Theatreland’ district
There are 2 lions outside the iconic “St. Martin’s-in-the-Field” church, overlooking Trafalgar Square – they’re named ‘Blue Lion’ and ‘Wild Roots’
A close look at ‘Wild Roots’ – 1 of the 2 lions outside the famously historic “St. Martin’s-in-the-Field” church,
Me & old ‘Wild Roots’ outside St. Martin’s-in-the-Field’s church
The ‘additional’ lion on display in Trafalgar Square – as opposed to the Lions that safeguard the 4 corners of the Square. This one is named ‘Pilgrim’ and was decorated by legendary actor/comedian/writer…John Cleese (my trusty assistant navigator is in the background – establishing our next ‘lion’ stop)
A close-up of John Cleese’s ‘Pilgrim’ the lion – in Trafalgar Square
1 of the 2 lions situated in Waterloo Place – just off of Piccadilly – this one is untitled.
A front view of 1 of the 2 lions situated in Waterloo Place – just off of Piccadilly – this one is named ‘Return of the Urban Casual’
Another view of ‘Return of the Urban Casual’ – 1 of the 2 lions situated in Waterloo Place – just off of Piccadilly – (and with my trusty navigator in the background – working out the route to the next lion-stop)
The rather colourful lion in St. James Market – just off of Piccadilly – this one is untitled.
Another view of the colourful eye-catching St. James’s Market lion
The St. James Market lion’s arse
Me – alongside the untitled lion on display in St. James’s Market – just off Pall Mall
1 of the 3 Piccadilly Circus lions – this one is named ‘Sign of the Times’
The ‘A Hard Mane is Gonna Fall’ lion at Piccadilly Circus – which has been decorated by actor/comedian/writer Noel Fielding
The ‘Sign of the Times’ lion at Piccadilly Circus with one of the tube station entrances/exits in the background
The ‘A Hard Mane is Gonna Fall’ lion with “Eros” in the background
One of my favourites of all the 27 lions scattered across the west-end. This is another 1 of the 3 in Piccadilly Circus – and this one is called ‘Not Lying Lion’ and has been decorated by guitarist (& artist) Ronnie Wood of the Rolling Stones. Ronnie is a big conservationist
Me – alongside ‘Not Lying Lion’ – the Ronnie Wood decorated lion at Piccadilly Circus
Another view of ‘Not Lying Lion’ – the Ronnie Wood decorated lion at Piccadilly Circus
An almost deserted Piccadilly on what would normally be a very busy weekday lunchtime – very very concerning to see :-((
‘Nathan’ – 1 of the 3 lions roaming around St. James Churchyard in Piccadilly
A side-on view ‘Nathan’ – of 1 of the 3 St. James Churchyard lions
2 of the other lions on the prowl in St. James Churchyard – ‘Brian the Lion’ and ‘Kamuro’
Me – alongside ‘Kamuro’ – 1 of the 3 St. James Churchyard lions
The rather elegant and colourful ‘Long Live the Lion’, – patrolling Jermyn Street
A side view of the very majestic ‘Long Live the Lion’ – in Jermyn Street lion
The golden ‘Limited Edition’ lion on guard outside the famous Ritz Hotel in Piccadilly
My personal favourite – the “ManeBow” lion inside the famous Burlington Arcade – off Piccadilly. Very sad to see so many of the prestigious within the Arcade, all boarded up and closed for good :-((
All about the ‘ManeBow’ lion in the Burlington Arcade
A close-up of the ‘ManeBow’ lion’s impressively colourful mane
The “Rose Lion” in the Burlington Arcade – off Piccadilly
A close-up of ‘Rose Lion’ in the Burlington Arcade
Me – getting acquainted with ‘Rose Lion’ in the Burlington Arcade – off Piccadilly
Me – having spent a very enjoyable time, tracking down the ’27’ lions throughout the Piccadilly Streets – much better than just ‘lion’ around indoors :-)) – (I’ll get me coat!!)
Hi Geoff,
Thank you for another interesting and very different London Shoes Blog, an unusual subject, and many different ways that the celebrities have drawn attention to the Charity.
A great way to brighten up London for a time.
Maz