Something to Roar About

Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium Welcomes New Male Lion

May 20, 2025

This Pittsburgh Zoo & Aquarium announces the addition of a new mane attraction – Hondo, an eight-year-old male African lion from the Idaho Falls Zoo, who has arrived as a companion for our lionesses Abana and Scarlett. As Hondo gets used to both his new home and his new pride-mates, he and the lionesses will alternate on view in their outdoor habitat.

Lions are social animals with a unique pride structure. Typically, a pride comprises several female lions, their offspring, and a few adult males. The Zoo worked closely with the Association of Zoos & Aquariums’ (AZA) African Lion Species Survival Plan (SSP) to find a good match for our lionesses. Expert advisors provide breeding and transfer recommendations across zoos to assure genetic and demographic diversity for lions in human care.

Hondo’s robust genes and his familiarity with females elected him the most eligible bachelor. “There were lots of matches, but Hondo was the best fit,” says Curator of Mammals Kelsey Forbes. “He is good with females having lived with his mother and two younger sisters. Here in Pittsburgh so far, Hondo is a perfect gentleman, and the ladies are obsessed with him.” (article continues below ⇓)

Whether in the wild or in an animal care facility, introducing a lion to an existing pride and negotiating pride dynamics is not an easy process. Hondo will be slowly and carefully introduced to the lionesses, as females take longer to accept a new pride member. The length of the process depends on the pride ranging anywhere from three months to five years. “The Zoo’s lion habitat is set up in such a way that the lions are given lots of opportunities to see and smell each other,” says Forbes.

Initial signs of a bond include behaviors that look friendly, like grooming and head rubbing, but also behaviors that may look startling to guests, like swatting, hissing, or biting. This is a normal process. Sharing food is a good sign: although the pride leader takes first bites in the wild, lionesses eat first in zoos. Also, lions typically call at sunrise and sunset.

“Our hope is for a calm and fairly seamless pride integration,” says Forbes. “We are watching for them to eat side by side without aggression. Scarlett and Abana are already responding to Hondo’s call. This is beautiful music for a potential relationship!” Does this match made in zoological heaven mean there may someday be the pitter patter of little lion paws? Forbes adds, “That remains up to them!”

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