A new pride of lions has moved onto the savanna of Kilimanjaro Safaris at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.
Animal Kingdom Lions
There are three lions, one male and two females. Their names are Mshango, Zahara, and Neema.
They are so young that the male lion’s mane has not fully grown. The trio were littermates and spent time backstage getting acclimated to their new home and keepers before they began to appear on Kilimanjaro Safaris on Tuesday, December 3.
While the lions continue adjusting to their new life, guests might not see them all day. Cast Members also noted that the trucks won’t stop for guests to take extra photos of the new lions — or any animals for that matter.
A few weeks ago, Disney announced that the two lions who previously appeared on the safari, Dakari and Kamari, would be retiring after a decade to a conservation haven in Florida accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). They were models for the 2019 remake of “The Lion King.”
Disney Parks VP of Animals, Science and Environment Dr. Mark Penning wrote on Disney Parks Blog that the decision to retire the two lions was made with “heartfelt emotions” and “with a continued focus on their wellbeing, happiness and health in mind.”
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