Boise City Wire

Zoo Boise, a division of Boise Parks and Recreation, is happy to announce that its new two-year-old female African lion named Ahsoka [pronounced ah-soh-kuh] is now on exhibit with Revan, the zoo’s male lion. This important step follows an extensive introduction process, known as “howdies,” where the two lions get to know each other. The process has gone very well and Zoo Boise guests can now meet Ahsoka during zoo hours from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily.

“This is an exciting update for our zoo family as we work to support the Species Survival Plan,” said Boise Parks and Recreation Director Doug Holloway. “We are grateful for the zoo’s dedicated team of keepers and the care they have taken in introducing our lions. Ahsoka is a beautiful addition and an animal we know the community will love.”

Ahsoka was born at the Santa Barbara Zoo in November of 2020 to mom, Felicia, and dad, Ralph. She came to Zoo Boise in March from Santa Barbara through a partnership with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA). Both zoos are part of the AZA and engage in its mission to advance zoos in conservation, education, science, and recreation, as well as efforts to support the genetic health and longevity of numerous species, including African lions.

The lioness was paired with Revan, Zoo Boise’s 10-year-old male lion, through the Species Survival Plan, a cooperative conservation program by the AZA. Ahsoka will be a companion to Revan, as there are no plans for the lions to breed.

In addition to the new lioness, Zoo Boise also has its annual Butterflies in Bloom exhibit open through Labor Day. Butterflies in Bloom, which is included in your zoo admission, is a walkthrough greenhouse full of hundreds of colorful Costa Rican butterflies.

Zoo Boise has turned the act of visiting the zoo into a conservation action. Since 2007, visits to Zoo Boise have generated more than $3 million towards the conservation of animals in the wild.

Original source can be found here.