05/27/2025
We're still hearing raves and ROARS about our new-and-improved lion habitat ... including from the lions themselves! Taylor R. from our Carnivore Team shares more in today's Keeper Stories Blog ... (video: Taylor R.)
Hey everyone! Taylor from the Carnivore Team here, and if you have stopped by the lion habitat recently, you may have noticed some big changes – and so have Hondo, Hatari, and Azizi! Our three male lions are now back on view and loving every inch of their newly renovated habitat!
In our last Keeper Stories blog, we shared what the trio were up to behind the scenes while the habitat underwent renovations. Now that they are back out on habitat, it's clear the wait was well worth it for both lions and guests alike!
The lions have especially been enjoying all the new lush grass and plants added by our incredible Horticulture Team! This updated landscape provides an enriching environment with lots of different textures and scents for the lions to explore. Most of the time you can catch the boys lounging on the grass taking a nice long nap in the sun. And of course, in true lion fashion, have also been busy scent marking many of the new plants. Lions do this by spraying urine to mark their territory and to communicate with other lions. It also could be their way of saying thanks … we think. (Sorry, Horticulture!)
Another favorite feature? Two new glass window viewing options for guests! These viewing areas offer up-close opportunities for guests to see the lions, but make no mistake, the lions are just as curious about their daily visitors as well! It's not uncommon to see one (or all three) of the boys lying right near the glass, people watching all the Zoo goers that pass by!
However, it's not all lounging around. If you're lucky enough you might have seen/heard our lion boys roaring around the habitat. A lion’s roar is a powerful vocalization used for a variety of purposes, including defending territory, communicating with pride members, and intimidating rivals. It's a key part of their social behavior and a way to maintain cohesion within the pride. A lion’s roar is so powerful it can be heard up to five miles away! And our boys are smart … they have figured out that if they roar into the glass, the sound bounces back, making their roars even louder! It's very impressive and such an amazing opportunity for guests to see and hear them so up close. Sometimes you can even feel the vibrations of their roars when they are that close! When these three get roaring there is no question who rules the savanna … or at least this part of the Zoo.
It's been such a joy to watch Hondo, Hatari, and Azizi explore their newly renovated space, and we hope you will come by soon to see them in action-or relaxation- for yourself!
Taylor R., Carnivore Team
