Welcome to the Pittsburgh pride Hondo!
The Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium has welcomed a new male lion.
An eight-year-old African Lion named Hondo, comes to the zoo from the Idaho Falls Zoo.
Hondo will be a companion to lioness Abana and Scarlett.
While Hondo gets used to his new surroundings and partners, he will alternate time in the outdoor habitat with the two lionesses.
The Zoo says they worked closely with groups to find the best match for Abana and Scarlett and Hondo wad deemed the most compatible.
“There were lots of matches, but Hondo was the best fit,” says Curator of Mammals Kelsey Forbes. “He is good with females having lived with his mother and two younger sisters. Here in Pittsburgh so far, Hondo is a perfect gentleman, and the ladies are obsessed with him.”
Experts say the process of introducing a new lion to the pride is not an easy one and will take some time.
“Our hope is for a calm and fairly seamless pride integration,” says Forbes. “We are watching for them to eat side by side without aggression. Scarlett and Abana are already responding to Hondo’s call. This is beautiful music for a potential relationship!” Does this match made in zoological heaven mean there may someday be the pitter patter of little lion paws? Forbes adds, “That remains up to them!”
Get more information on Hondo and your next trip to the Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium HERE.