Phoenix Zoo welcomes its latest residents with adorable names

The exhibit also aims to raise awareness about the importance of lion conservation efforts.

PUBLISHED OCT 13, 2024

Over the last few decades, lion populations have experienced significant declines.

Phoenix, Arizona: The Phoenix Zoo has welcomed its newest residents, African lion cubs named Jasiri and Azizi. These four-month-old cubs made their public debut in the zoo's newly opened Predator Passage lion habitat.

The cubs, accompanied by their mother, explored their new surroundings as zoo staff reported that the cubs are adjusting well to their new home and interacting comfortably with each other and their environment.

This new habitat, part of the zoo's effort to enhance animal welfare, is designed to mimic the lions’ natural environment, providing spaces for climbing, hiding, and resting. The exhibit also aims to raise awareness about the importance of lion conservation efforts in the wild, where African lion populations face significant threats.

"These cubs represent the heart of our mission," said a Phoenix Zoo spokesperson. "Not only are they adorable, but they symbolize the critical need for conservation efforts."

A 'vulnerable' big cat

The African lion (Panthera leo) is currently classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Over the last few decades, lion populations have experienced significant declines due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict, and poaching.

As of 2024, the population estimate ranges from 20,000 to 25,000 individuals, with only about 8% of their historical range remaining intact across Africa.

The situation varies by region. For instance, lion populations in southern and eastern Africa fare better under conservation efforts, but lions in West and Central Africa are in a more precarious position, with some listed as Critically Endangered.

The main threats to lion survival include encroachment on their habitat for agriculture and human settlements, reduction of prey animals, and retaliatory killings by communities affected by livestock predation. Additionally, the illegal trade in lion bones, driven by demand from countries like China and Vietnam, further pressures populations.