COLUMBUS, Ohio — The Columbus Zoo and Aquarium announced a four-year-old lion has arrived from the Buffalo Zoo in New York.
The lion, a male named Roary, will join the zoo's pride of females of Imara, Nyasi, Asali, and Kazi, after the usual quarantine period.
Roary was moved to Columbus based on a recommendation from the Species Survival Plan (SSP) which is coordinated by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.
The Columbus Zoo said the African lion is listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
"The Columbus Zoo’s most recent lion cubs were born in August 2019 to mother, Naomi, and father, Tomo, who was humanely euthanized at age 15 due to age-related illnesses," the zoo said in a statement posted online.
Naomi and her cubs were moved to another facility so another male lion could be introduced to the pride.
"Roary and Kazi have received a breeding recommendation through the SSP, and it is hoped that they may have the opportunity to have cubs in the future," the zoo said.
