Trigger warnings and squeamish alerts…
Sometimes there’s a chance to see or experience something you probably never thought you would want to – and in April, the dissection of a dead lion will take place in public.
Hosted at the Royal Institution, the lion, which died of old age and was then donated to science, will be dissected to demonstrate how animal biology works. Medical and veterinary students will be used to seeing such demonstrations, but doing the same for the voyuristic public might not seem very scientific, but it certainly does tick the classic idea of public demonstrations of science to educate the curious.
Admittedly, it might be a bit squeamish for some, so attendees can leave the auditorium for a break if they want.
You might find you use that less than you expect. A live demonstration of open-heart surgery (on a human) I attended many years ago also offered similar support, but the event was so fascinating that hardly anyone wanted to leave their seats.
So, if you want to see something that will likely be a lifetime memory – hopefully a good one, but undeniably, it will be an experience to remember, even if you run out of the room occasionally.
Animal Dissection Live will be hosted by Ben Garrod, from the University of East Anglia, and veterinary surgeon Jess French, and will take place on Saturday 11th April 2026.
You can book tickets here.
You can watch online, or be at the Royal Institution, which is a short walk from Bond Street and Green Park tube stations.
