In celebration of World Lion Day, we wanted to answer commonly asked questions about our 7-year-old lion brothers, Chobe, Karoo, and Ruaha!

The trio arrived at our Zoo in 2022 as a part of the Species Survival Plan for lions within organizations accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). We will serve as a home for the boys either for the rest of their lives or until they themselves are paired with a female lion in the hopes of supporting their species. Every Zoo birth is a safeguard against the extinction of their species. African lions are classified as vulnerable to extinction due to illegal hunting, decreases in the populations of lion prey and habitat loss.

In the four years the lions have called the Zoo home, our animal care team has gotten to know them well! Read on to learn about Chobe, Karoo and Ruaha from Africa Platform Area Supervisor Alyssa Simon.

What are their favorite foods? Their favorite food is meat! Lions are carnivores, so their diet consists of different kinds of meat. They also enjoy bones as an occasional treat.

What is their favorite enrichment? Our lions love when their keepers place food throughout their habitat. Enrichment is important for our pride at the Zoo, because it encourages natural behaviors.

When are they the most active? Our pride at the Zoo is crepuscular, which means they are more active during dawn and dusk. During these times, lions take advantage of the cooler temperatures and lower light levels.

Which brother is most likely to be the most curious? While all our lions are curious, Ruaha is the more dominant of the brothers. So, he is usually one of the first ones to investigate anything new.

Do they show interest in any other animals in Expedition Africa? Our lions usually don’t show much interest in the other animals in Expedition Africa. However, they will watch their keepers even when they are working with the giraffes!

What trained cues do they respond to? Our lions respond to targets, sit, stand, open, down, and scale cues. These trained cues are important as they help us care for our lions. For example, target and sit cues help the lions voluntarily position themselves to be weighed.

Are there any cool fun facts about lions? If you are ever near the Zoo—or even a few miles away— you may hear their roars. A lion’s roar can be heard up to five miles away! Another interesting fact about our pride is that our okapi, George, is heavier than any of the lion brothers.