Maya the Lion Joins the Pride at Taronga Zoo Sydney

Posted By : The Animal Facts Editorial Team

Date: November 17, 2020 9:15 pm

Maya the African lion in her new enclosure at Taronga Zoo Sydney

Photo Credit: Taronga Zoo Sydney

A lioness has taken pride of place in Taronga Zoo Sydney’s newly built African savanna precinct. Nine year old female, Maya made the move from Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo earlier this month and has spent the last couple of weeks settling in to her new home.

Maya joins resident lions, Lwazi and Ato who are both three years old. She is a genetically valuable member of the breeding program having moved to Australia from South Africa in 2014. She has already had two litters and will meet the males at Taronga Zoo Sydney soon.

Senior Carnivore Keeper Deb Price said Maya was adjusting well to her new surroundings and taking the move in her stride: “Maya has settled in really well to her new home here with us at Taronga Zoo Sydney. She’s tentatively explored the exhibit, taking in all the sights and smells. While she hasn’t yet met the boys, I have no doubt she’s been able to smell them and sense their presence.

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“Introductions between Maya and the boys will happen gradually over the next few months, and we’ll take our cues from her and progress when she’s comfortable. It’s been a long while since we’ve had lion cubs here at Taronga Zoo, so we’d love to be able to hear the pitter patter of little paws again soon,” said Price.

The African savanna precinct opened at Taronga Zoo Sydney in June 2020 bringing lions back to Taronga Zoo for the first time since 2015. They live alongside giraffe, zebra, fennec fox and meerkats.

At the habitat guests can come face to face with African wildlife while becoming acquainted to the conservation challenges facing these animals.