The staff at Franklin Park Zoo is pleased to announce the addition of two new lions, who are expected to make their exhibit debut this month.

The male lions, six-year-old brothers named Dinari and Kamaia, are still settling in so an exact exhibit debut date has not been determined, although it is anticipated that it could be within the next week or two.

“We are absolutely thrilled about the addition of these two lions. People of all ages are innately drawn to lions due to their impressive physical attributes and their distinctive roar. These two brothers are incredibly bonded and we are looking forward to when they make their exhibit debut,” said John Linehan, Zoo New England President and CEO.

The lion exhibit at Franklin Park Zoo has been empty since the passing of Christopher the lion in early April. At age 21, Christopher was among the oldest lions in the North American population and he had been treated for a number of age-related health issues.

Lions, which are currently listed as a vulnerable species, can be found in grasslands, savannas, dense bush and woodlands in most countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Their numbers have plummeted in recent decades. While lions live mainly in Africa, there is also a very small, critically endangered population living in India. The biggest threats facing lions in the wild include habitat loss, prey base depletion and retaliatory and pre-emptive killing to protect life and livestock.

Lions are the most social of the cats. The basic family unit - the pride, is usually composed of a single male and multiple females, though occasionally there are multiple males. The females primarily hunt in groups at night or at dawn. The males sometimes hunt, but mainly defend the territory and the pride. Young males often form all male coalitions with brothers or other related males. Both males and females roar, and the roar can be heard up to 5 miles away.

Be sure to check Franklin Park Zoo’s Facebook page and this website for news of the lion brothers’ exhibit debut.

Learn more about the African lion in Franklin Park Zoo's Animal section.

Photo courtesy of Cathy Burkey, Dallas Zoo.