Zoo introduces first lion, updates construction progress

There’s a lot to talk about at the Great Plains Zoo in the coming weeks. But first — meet Simba.

The Detroit Zoo announced late last week that the lion who has lived there for more than a decade will be moving to the Great Plans Zoo to “live in a newly constructed, state-of-the-art lion habitat.”

“The Association of Zoos & Aquariums recommended Simba’s transfer to support the sustainability of a healthy, genetically diverse and demographically varied lion population in zoos. During his time here at the Detroit Zoo, Simba fathered one cub, Binti, and made an incredible impact on our hearts. Though we will miss him dearly, we know he will receive the highest level of care in his new home and continue to be a fantastic ambassador for African lions in the wild.”

At 17, Simba is an older lion but is being matched with a female lion through the AZA Species Survival Plan Program in the hopes that “in the right environment with the right mate, he can have some babies,” said Becky Dewitz, president and CEO of the Great Plains Zoo.

“This interior area is ready, so we will get to move right into his bedroom and bathroom space.”

The plan is to bring him to Sioux Falls sometime this month so he has time to acclimate before going public when the exhibit opens.

That’s currently scheduled for late June. The zoo hopes to hear more on the female lion soon and will continue to work with the breeding program. “Because we have such a large habitat, we may add additional lions in the future,” Dewitz said.

“But we want to start with those two and get them established because they would be the breeding pair we’d be working with.”

It’s a “very large habitat,” she said, with more than 27,000 square feet, which makes it one of the largest homes for lions in North America. There are areas geared toward the needs of cubs and older lions, as well as an area for more active middle-aged lions.

The meerkat exhibit, which is part of the same area, also is nearly done, “so we are looking to receive additional meerkats for the habitats,” Dewitz said, adding the zoo’s current animals won’t be moved because of their age and potential socialization issues with newer meerkats.

In the meantime, the Great Plains Zoo is about a week away from opening its new splash pad, which is not far from the Hy-Vee Face-to-Face Farm and the carousel.

The plan is to do a soft opening next week leading up to a ribbon-cutting May 23 and then be ready for the season in time for Memorial Day weekend guests.

“There’s a lot of enthusiasm,” Dewitz said. “We’ve had school bus after school bus, and they’re all just delighted, and you can hear the squeals from the kiddos as they see it.”

The splash pad is designed for kids of all ages and abilities. Parents are able to accompany younger children as they play there.

“We’re adding a kiosk adjacent to the splash pad that will allow us to do some grab-and-go items, beverage sales, and we have the carousel nearby, but we have a railing to guard children from going back and forth,” Dewitz said.

New this year, the zoo will not allow outside meals on the property. Picnics can be held at Sherman Park adjacent to the zoo, and the zoo has an on-site cafe for additional dining. The policy change does not apply to things like water bottles or small snacks for kids.

The popular train rides will return once construction is complete on the lion and meerkat exhibits.

Giraffe feeding will be reduced to once a day for now as the remaining giraffe, Olivia Dee, only has so much of an appetite. The good news is the zoo is making progress on a new male giraffe following the death of Chioke this spring, Dewitz said.

Olivia “is doing really well,” she said.

Expect more announcements in the coming weeks at the zoo, Dewitz said. Work continues on a proposed master plan that will bring the Butterfly House & Aquarium onto the same campus. That project, along with an education center, is scheduled to be the Greater Sioux Falls Chamber of Commerce Community Appeals project this fall and into early next year.

Great Plains Zoo’s new master plan includes aquarium, enhanced exhibits