“They showed up Thursday evening from Knoxville Zoo in Tennessee, so we have 6-year-old Amara and 9-year-old Upepo.”
John Ball Zoo curator Tim Sampson says the African lions are a non-breeding pair as health issues from previous litters caused Amara to be spayed.
The two are inquisitive, energetic and will be fun to watch.
“After the first five minutes at the zoo, they were training with their new keepers and eating food off the tongs so they’re very personable, came right up to us.”
The lions are adjusting to their new environment, and visitors will see them exploring their outdoor habitat when the zoo opens in two weeks.
“Weather dependent of course. Anything 30 degrees or below is a little iffy for lions, and these guys are southern lions so it’s probably more like 40-50 degrees.”
The African exhibit will eventually expand to include giraffes as part of the zoo’s 10-year master plan which also includes building a domed indoor tropical forest, adding a sea lion exhibit, and a new otter project that will open spring of next year.
