North Carolina Zoo Announces the Arrival of New Male Lion
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ASHEBORO N.C. (NC ZOO) - The North Carolina Zoo is excited to officially announce its new male lion, Haji, has arrived.
Haji, three years old and weighing 400 pounds, came from the Audubon Zoo in New Orleans as a companion for the Zoo's female lion Mekita, 13. The Association of Zoos and Aquarium (AZA) Lions Species Survival Plan (SSP) recommended the pairing.
Mekita's last mate—23-year-old Reilly—died in August 2022, leaving her as the Zoo's only lion. Reilly lived at the Zoo for 21 years, spending most of his time as Mekita's mate. Haji was brought to the Zoo mainly as a companion for Mekita because lions are big cats that live in social groups called prides.
Although Haji arrived ...