Meet Ant and Dec, the ducklings rescued from lions at Knowsley Safari Park

Knowsley Safari Park ducklings Ant and Dec

Cute twosome saved by keepers from becoming mane meal

Quack-thinking keepers at Knowsley Safari Park rescued ducklings who nearly became the "mane" attraction - for all the wrong reasons.

The fortunate fowl, nicknamed Ant and Dec after the television double act, were left in a corner of the lion enclosure at the park by their mum, who then waddled away in search of food.

Ducks at the park roam freely and keepers say it appears the mum didn't realise her ducklings were risking the wrath of the Kings of the Jungle.

Stephanie Willimott (left) and Jessica James with ducklings Ant and Dec

Knowsley Safari keepers spotted the danger and managed to keep the big cats distracted long enough to rescue the ducklings.

A spokesman for Knowsley Safari said: "You never know what will happen each day here at Knowsley Safari!

"I'm so glad we spotted Ant and Dec in time, they had no idea of the danger they were in. The lions had definitely spotted them.

"We managed to distract the pride, and evacuated the ducklings just in time. "We got them curled up in front of a heater shortly after rescue to warm them up before letting them out into a safer section of the Safari."

Ant and Dec are now exploring safer grounds at the park while they wait for their mum to be located and returned to them.