The City of Great Bend and the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo personnel announced Friday morning the addition of two female lions to the zoo.

“Staff has been searching for over a year to find a companion for our lone lion Luke,” said Zoo Supervisor/Curator Sara Hamlin. Two 6-month-old sister cubs, Sauda and Amana, were located at a small zoo in Florida. 

The girls are currently living in the tiger building and yard until they have grown large enough to be able to be introduced to Luke, Hamlin said. Right now the young lions are weighing in around 75 pounds compared to Luke’s 425 pounds, so it will be a year or two until they are big enough for them to safely be introduced to each other. 

The young pair currently do not have access to the yard while zoo staff “baby proofs” the area. 

“I’ve been searching for a female to provide companionship for Luke before Mumbasa (Boss) had even passed away but there weren’t any available,” Hamlin said. “We are really fortunate to find a zoo looking to place two.” 

Zoo staff loves how interactive the cubs are with the keepers; the girls watch what they do very closely and really enjoy engaging with the enrichment offered to them. “Even though they won’t live together for another year or two, we are really excited to have a whole pride together so they can fulfil the social needs lions require,” she said

A public debut is planned for some time next week. Zoo Society members should keep an eye on the Zoo Society’s Facebook page for a first look opportunity to view the girls before the general public. 

To become a Zoo Society member, you can pick up a form at the Zoo or request one from their Facebook page. Yearly membership costs only $25 and all money goes directly to our zoo animals. 

For more information, contact the Zookeepers at the Great Bend Brit Spaugh Zoo 620-793-4226.