Young Lions Debut at Houston Zoo

The newest arrivals at the Houston Zoo are three young female African lions. 

Born in July 2008 at Ft. Worth Zoo, the girls are beginning to get settled into their new home and the keepers are beginning to see signs of their individual personalities.

“Matungulu, also known as Mattie is the brave one,” says Houston Zoo Carnivore Supervisor Kevin Hodge.  “The first day they came on exhibit, Mattie was the one who came out first followed by her sister Nimue and then Uzima,” said Kevin. 

“They are only a year and a half old,” said Kevin.  “So, they are still young and still all about being with their sisters and bonding with each other.  They’ve seen Jonathan, our male lion and Celesto our female but haven’t formally met.  After they meet Jonathan, we’ll see definite patterns of dominance emerge,” added Kevin.

Each of the new girls tips the scales at about 200 pounds.  “That’s a good weight for them. They’re lean and muscular,” said Kevin.  The new arrivals consume almost 4 and a half pounds of meat each day and get bones once a week.  “They’ve got very good appetites,” said Kevin. 

Mattie, Uzima, and Nimue may be seen daily at the Houston Zoo’s lion habitat from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m.