New Lioness Becomes Queen of the Tautphaus Park Zoo
By Bill Gersonde
Idaho Falls, ID - A new female lion is calling the Tautphaus Park Zoo home. Kimani arrived from the San Francisco Zoo following a recommendation from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums African Lion Species Survival Plan (SSP).
“It was sad to say farewell to our lioness Sukari who went to the San Francisco to be paired with a male residing there, but we’re glad to have a new mate for our male and the opportunity to potentially raise some lion cubs.” said Zoo Superintendent Bill Gersonde.
Kimani which means sweet and beautiful, was born in 2003 at the San Francisco Zoo and arrived in Idaho Falls last fall. She completed her 30 day quarantine period and has been successfully introduced to the zoo’s male lion, Dahoma.
“The SSP determined that Kimani and Dahoma were a great genetic match and made the recommendation that we swap females with San Francisco”, said Gersonde. “The two are getting along great and we hope that in the next year or two we’ll have some lion cubs.” says Gersonde. Both Lions will be on display when the zoo opens for the 2010 season on April 17th.
The AZA Species Survival Plan® (SSP) Programs strive to manage and conserve a select and typically threatened or endangered, captive species population with the required cooperation of AZA-accredited institutions. SSP Programs develop a Master Plan that identifies population management goals and recommendations to ensure the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse, and demographically varied population.
The media is invited to see Kimani and Dahoma on Friday April 2nd . Please meet at the zoo entrance at 10:15am.
article source
http://www.zandavisitor.com/newsarticle-3278-New_Lioness_Becomes_Queen_of_the_Tautphaus_Park_Zoo
Posts
I miss Kimani so much. When I was a docent she and Tunya were always the first big cats I'd see. She has the most precious face full of a lot of character and fun. I remember her greeting me at the window by jumping up and pawing at the window. It startled me at first and then the keeper came by and said she was only saying "hello and greeting me". What an experience !!! I look forward to Kimani having kits, they will totally be adorable!!!
ReplyDelete