Lions return to the Great Plains Zoo after decades-long absence

After 30 years, lions have returned to the Great Plains Zoo.

The zoo’s new 27,000-square-foot multiuse exhibit opened today, bringing a variety of indoor-outdoor spaces designed to support lions throughout their lives and offer multiple ways for visitors to interact with them.

“I’m very pleased with it,” Great Plains Zoo CEO Becky Dewitz said.

“I can see people have been getting excited. … they’ve been peeking in, and we’re just delighted to have the lions come back. They’re such a majestic and iconic species, and we’re excited for people to get to know them.”

The $8.2 million lion exhibit is by the rhinos and the zoo’s cafe, with a new pedestrian route alongside the cafe.

Fifteen-year-old Simba moved from Detroit, where he sired one cub.

He was originally from Qatar with origins in North Africa.

Visitors will notice “he has a different kind of mane because of the type of lion that he is,” Dewitz said. “They come from more of a mountainous terrain with thorny bushes, and they have a shorter mane because they adapted to their habitat.”

Amahle, who is 10, arrived from the Smithsonian’s National Zoo & Conservation Biology Institute in Washington, D.C.

“She’s just a strong lioness,” Dewitz said. “Beautiful, muscular … Amahle is impressive.”

Each lion was recommended by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ Lion Species Survival Plan program to come to the zoo because of their genetic diversity and other factors.

“He has premium bloodlines, so we are hopeful they can be compatible and add genetic diversity to the species’ viable management and conservation,” Dewitz said.

At the public opening, Simba showed plenty of personality, interacting with guests and posing for photos.

Amahle was a bit more reserved but still active and engaged.

The two lions haven’t been introduced yet, though “Simba looks at her with adoration,” Dewitz said, adding that the zoo’s team will take their cues from the animals, and when they show signs of bonding, they’ll be introduced from there.

“We’re hopeful they can meet each other and form a strong bond and we have babies in the future to help contribute to the species survival program, as well as make sure we have good genetics in our AZA,” she said.

The exhibit itself includes multiple indoor and outdoor viewing spaces. The north yard is designed for older lions and cubs, with more gentle terrain.

The south yard includes a themed area with Kopje rock, which is common in the African landscape and offers a climbing feature to be “more of a challenge yard” for lions as they mature, Dewitz said. “To really add the complexity, which is very important for the animals’ wellness.”

A large viewing area will include a mud hut, so the zoo’s staff can teach about indigenous people who live among lions and how the two live in balance.

For the animals, the goal is to maximize their ability to be outside, including in the winter.

That means outdoor areas with roofs and heaters, including heated rocks and den-like areas where Dewitz envisions them spending considerable time.

For now, they’re indoors while landscaping outside finishes growing. The building is more than 7,000 square feet and includes a keeper office, bedroom space for the animals and indoor exhibit space.

There also are areas where trainers will be able to work with the lions and the public can watch them respond.

A dayroom can be subdivided, giving zoo staff a lot of options depending on how many lions ultimately call Sioux Falls home.

“Lions are a social species, so they live in groups called prides, but like any other large cat and even small cats, they sleep 18 to 20 hours a day,” Dewitz said.

The total exhibit “is one of the largest in a northern climate zoo,” she added. “I don’t know of any other exhibit that has as much room.”

The structure also includes a habitat for a meerkat mob, which will arrive in Sioux Falls soon from another AZA partner zoo.

The zoo’s current meerkat pair, Biff and Clementine, will remain in their exhibit in the giraffe building for the foreseeable future.

Project design was done by TSP and Ackerman-Estvold. Lloyd Cos. is the general contractor.

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