06/21/2025
A VERY special and long awaited week at Monterey Zoo.
We embarked upon a long journey in early 2024 as we applied with both Calif. F&W and U.S. F&W to acquire two African lioness cubs that might one day be bred to our male African lion, "Michael" to benefit the African lion captive breeding program in U.S. zoos today. The permits were achieved and the cubs arrived at Monterey Zoo in July of 2024.
"Thelma" & "Louise" came to us from a fellow ZAA accredited zoo in Kansas. The past year has found us acclimating the girls to not only our zoo habitat/their new home, but also to our adult male African lion, "Michael" ~ but always through a protective barrier until they were old enough and large enough to hold their own. On that day, we would open all the gates and allow the three to share the same space. That decision would be a difficult one! This is a very scary activity that most zoos are forced to encounter eventually but there is a prescribed recipe that if followed, minimizes the risks, especially with a the unique social structure of an African lion. The stress is unavoidable, for all concerned!
We followed that recipe to the letter, with staff, veterinarian, emergency equipment and more standing by Monday morning when Thelma and Louise finally met Michael... no barriers!
Although some events might have made for a much better story, thus far (knocking on wood) we've been incredibly fortunate. With little to no posturing (and what little there's been coming only from the ladies), Michaels simply winks and walks away, affording the girls all the time they need to learn to love him. He's been incredible!!! Patient, kind and caring.
To assure their privacy and minimal stress, we've had their exhibit closed to the public since Monday. We very much appreciate all who've visited and were tolerant of that need. But tomorrow, we invite all to see our new pride FOR THE FIRST TIME TOGETHER! (We intend to do this for long as they remain comfortable with such circumstances ~ we will need to close the exhibit if we feel our visitors in any way, become a stress to the pride.) But it could also prove to be an awesome ingredient, helping to take some of the focus off the obvious stress and adding back that which the lions are all very familiar with, you.
We will be closely and strictly supervising, requiring a very calm and quiet atmosphere at their exhibit ~ so it might not be ideal for all, however, it will be a unique experience that doesn't come around often and we truly want to share with you. 🦁❤️🙏🏼
