Taronga Zoo Sydney is delighted to welcome nine-year-old female African Lion Maya to Taronga’s newly built African Savannah Precinct. Maya, who arrived from Taronga Western Plains Zoo earlier this month, has spent the past two weeks getting acquainted with her new home and is now available for guests to view on exhibit every other day. 

Maya is a genetically valuable animal to the regional breeding program, having arrived at Taronga Western Plains Zoo in 2014 from a zoo in South Africa. She has since successfully delivered two litters. Maya will be introduced to resident three-year-old lion brothers Lwazi and Ato over the next few months with the hope of establishing a pride of her own here at Taronga Zoo Sydney. 

Senior Carnivore Keeper Deb Price said Maya was adjusting well to her new surroundings and taking the move in her stride: “Maya has settled in really well to her new home here with us at Taronga Zoo Sydney. She’s tentatively explored the exhibit, taking in all the sights and smells. While she hasn’t yet met the boys, I have no doubt she’s been able to smell them and sense their presence.

“Introductions between Maya and the boys will happen gradually over the next few months, and we’ll take our cues from her and progress when she’s comfortable. It’s been a long while since we’ve had lion cubs here at Taronga Zoo, so we’d love to be able to hear the pitter patter of little paws again soon,” said Price. 

The state-of-the-art African Savannah precinct opened to the public in June and saw the return of Lions to the zoo for the first time since 2015. Lion brothers Lwazi and Ato have delighted visitors with their playful antics ever since, alongside Giraffes, Zebras, Meerkats and Fennec Fox. 

A gateway to the Africa in the heart of Sydney, African Savannah lets guests come eye-to-eye with African Wildlife, all while learning about the conservation challenges facing these iconic species. African Savannah is an authentic, immersive experience that connects guests at Taronga Zoo with human-wildlife solutions that support communities and wildlife in Northern Kenya.