African Lion
at Audubon Zoo
Find Me with the App | Visit Me at the Zoo
Meet the Zoo's Newest Pride Members
Nandi, Tatu, and Zawadi—the Audubon Zoo lion cubs—are now on exhibit! Visit the African Savanna to see these playful and fun youngsters exploring alongside their pride. Hurry—they are growing fast!
Cubs are generally out until 2:00 PM daily, weather permitting.
Audubon Nature Institute’s social media is sharing regular “CUBdates” with photos and videos of the trio as they grow. Follow along on Instagram.
Meet African Lions at Audubon Zoo
The African Lion (Panthera leo) prowls the grasslands of Africa as a top-of-the-food-chain predator. Scroll down to meet the lions of Audubon and to learn more about this big cat’s life in the wild. You can find out about life in the pride, hunting on the savanna, caring for cubs, and more – including what’s being done to help secure a future for lions.
African Lion Fast Facts
- Conservation Status: Vulnerable - high risk of extinction.
- Habitat/Range: Grasslands and savannas of sub-Saharan Africa
- Diet: Carnivore—primarily large herbivores such as zebras, antelope, and wildebeest
- Size: Males: 5.5–8 ft long, 330–600 lbs; Females: 4.5–6 ft long, 265–400 lbs
- Lifespan: 10–14 years in the wild; up to 20 years in human care
- Social Structure: Lives in family groups known as prides
- Fun Fact: A lion's roar can be heard up to 5 miles away.
See Us at the Zoo
See African Lions up close and explore educational exhibits in our makeshift ranger station. A must-see for all visitors!
When You Can See the Lion Cubs:
In order for the young lion cubs to appear on exhibit, certain milestones must be met including acclimation to the outdoors, development of good relationships between the cubs and all pride members, and the weather sunny and at least 55 degrees Fahrenheit, as they haven’t yet developed the insulation and thick fur that they’ll have as adults. They will stay in their indoor den until it is safe for them to explore their outdoor habitat--once out and about, they are expected to go back indoors at 2 PM. We expect the cubs be on exhibit regularly in March.
Nandi, Zawadi, & Tatu
Audubon Zoo is roaring with pride about our three new African lion cubs, soon to be viewable to the public all day.
Arnold
Only male in pride; calm and watchful; loves to nap under his tree.
Kali, Zuri, & Nia
Three sister lionesses, often seen playing, prowling, or lounging together.
Come face-to-face
Step up to the glass and go nose-to-nose with the King (or Queen) of Beasts.
African Lion Habitat & Range
The African Lion (Panthera leo) is known as the King of Beasts for good reason. These big cats are dominant predators wherever they go. Among cats, they are second in size only to tigers.
Lions were once found throughout Africa and much of Asia and Europe. Today, they are restricted to savannas and other varied habitats of sub-Saharan Africa.
Learn More About African Lion Habitat & Range
Historic vs. Current Range
Habitat
African Lion Behavior
Lions are considered the most social of cats. They typically live in groups, called prides, and rely upon each other to survive. A pride can range in size from a handful to several dozen adult lions, plus offspring. Most prides are ruled by a single dominant male, but some larger prides may have 2 or 3 dominant males at a time. Lion sociality can be loose, though, so it is not uncommon in any population for there to be lone males or females on the savanna.
Learn More About African Lion Behavior
Sleep Schedule
Like all cats, lions sleep a lot – up to 20 hours per day, in fact. They are not lazy; they are simply conserving energy for the next hunt. Lions rest during the heat of the day and wake up at dusk. Lionesses set off to hunt while the dominant male patrols the territory and defends his pride as needed. He roars to be noticed. He wants other prides to know he’s there and to think twice about encroaching on his domain.
Hunting & Eating
Lionesses are fearsome hunters, but they bring down a kill less than 30% of the time. To make the payoff worth the chase, they target medium-to-large prey such as zebra, wildebeest, and antelope. They work cooperatively to isolate, encircle, and tire their prey. When they make a kill, the alpha male eats first, then the lionesses, and lastly the cubs. Lions are also scavengers that will eagerly displace other predators and take over their kills.
Cub Care
Lionesses in the same pride give birth at about the same time and help raise each other’s cubs. The dominant male makes sure of this by mating with all reproductive females over the course of a few days. Each lioness gives birth to a litter of 1 to 4 cubs, on average. Lionesses will nurse each other’s cubs and take turns watching over them while others hunt.
Moving Out
Females remain with their birth pride, but males take off at about three years of age. Their father sends a loud, clear, and often violent message that they are no longer welcome. Young male lions roam solo or join a bachelor group, biding their time until they can challenge and vanquish a weakened alpha male and take over a pride of their own.
African Lion Conservation
Lions are in trouble, but effective conservation strategies exist to protect these cats in the wild. Learn more about what threatens lions and what measures we can take to help them survive.
Learn More About African Lion Conservation
Threats
Habitat loss, prey depletion, and conflict with humans represent the greatest threats to lions. Outside of protected lands, they are hunted as trophies and indiscriminately killed because of the perceived threat they pose to people and livestock. As their habitat shrinks, they have less access to adequate prey, which often puts them in further conflict with herders and farmers.
Conservation Efforts
Most, if not all, populations of African lions are in decline, and their number in the wild has shrunk by half in the last quarter century. Conservation strategies to save these big cats are well known and tested but must be implemented more broadly. These include helping humans learn to live with lions and providing adequate resources to protect lions in managed parks and wildlife reserves.
Even from the other side of the world, we can do something to help lions. Audubon Zoo participates in African Lion SAFE, the AZA’s signature conservation program for lions. SAFE stands for “Saving Animals From Extinction,” and all SAFE programs are designed to foster collaboration between AZA-accredited zoos and aquariums, conservation organizations, government agencies, and local communities to help people and wildlife thrive together. Learn more at the AZA’s official SAFE page: AZA SAFE.
African Lion FAQs
Where can I see the African Lions at Audubon Zoo?
You’ll find the lions in the African Savanna section of Audubon Zoo. They are a must-see on your visit!
Check the Zoo map or download the Zoo app to use the interactive map and easily locate their habitat during your visit.
Are the lions part of any conservation program?
Yes, Audubon Zoo participates in African Lion SAFE, the AZA’s signature conservation program for lions. Andrew Haertzen, Assistant Curator of Africa at Audubon Zoo, serves on the Steering Committee for African Lion SAFE.
What do the lions eat at the Zoo?
Our lions are fed a specially formulated carnivore diet that includes meat, bones, and enrichment items to encourage natural behaviors.
How can I help lions in the wild?
After the holidays, you can support the Zoo’s “Lights for Lions” campaign! Drop off your unwanted string lights in the large blue donation box at the Zoo’s front entrance. All proceeds from the recycling of donated string lights will go to the Wildlife Conservation Network's Lion Recovery Fund, which works to protect lions and their habitats.
Updated February 2026
