Cherry Brook Zoo adds 2 African lions

Two African lions are settling into their new home at the Cherry Brook Zoo. The brother and sister arrived from Ontario on the weekend. 

Their old home in Ontario was closing, and executive director Marta McDevitt said their zoo had been looking for lions for a while. 

This is the first time the zoo has had a male lion in 17 years. 

"That's extra exciting," said McDevitt. "Their personality is great. They're playful and high energy." 

The lions are two years old. The female is spayed, so there isn't a potential of any babies. 

"Initially it's always they get a little nervous when they first walk out to their enclosure but then they immediately started running after the toys," said McDevitt. 

Adjustment for staff

Staff at the zoo have been looking forward to lions for a long time, said McDevitt. She said because they already have some big cats, the staff is mostly used to dealing with the type of animal. 

"We already have two big cats here so it just flows in with that," said McDevitt. 

"I think they've been a little bit more involved obviously just because they're lions so they go down and observe them more."

Before the addition of the lions, the newest exhibit at the zoo was the reptile house.

McDevitt hopes the zoo can improve their primate house as work and fundraising continues.