Sacramento Zoo welcomes a wild new resident in partnership with Kings: An African lion
Furry, scaly and winged friends at the Sacramento Zoo are welcoming a new neighbor this week.
The zoo introduced its latest resident, a three-year-old male African lion, on Thursday, according to a news release.
This is part of a collaboration with the Sacramento Kings professional basketball team, whose mascot is the notable Slamson the Lion.
The name of the zoo’s new lion is Slamson II.
He is a part of the zoo’s long-term plan to transition to a “modern zoological park” in Elk Grove.
According to the release, the new zoo will care for more lions and contribute to conservation efforts in Africa.
“We are excited about this new partnership between the Sacramento Zoo and the Sacramento Kings,” Elk Grove Mayor Bobbie Singh-Allen said in the release. “It reflects a shared regional commitment to conservation, community, and unity that has been, and continues to be, part of the planning and discussions surrounding a potential new zoo in Elk Grove.”
Over the next few days, Slamson II will be introduced to his habitat slowly to get familiar with his new home.
Cleo, an 18-year-old female lion who’s a long-term Sacramento Zoo resident, will rotate with Slamson II to greet the public.
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