New lioness arrives to Sacramento Zoo. Will the Land Park location soon have lion cubs?

A beloved and social 4-year-old lioness has pawed her way to the Sacramento Zoo.

Binti, a name that means daughter in Swahili, is ready for visitors after arriving from her birthplace, the Detroit Zoo, under a swap conducted to ensure the survival of select species.

The Sacramento Zoo received Binti under the species survival plan, which helps maintain a diverse and biologically sound population. The Land Park zoo has frequently engaged in those exchanges — a snow leopard named Blizzard left the capital city in October under the same program.

“Come say hello to Binti on your next visit — she’s already winning hearts!” the Sacramento Zoo said in a social medial post.

Binti was the first lion cub to be born at the Detroit Zoo in 40 years. She was frequently spotted playing with her aunt Amirah as a young cub, according to videos uploaded on social media by the Detroit Zoo.

Binti formed a special bond with Detroit Zoo officials after her birth on Sept. 10, 2020. Caretakers raised her after she suffered complications during her mother’s labor. But she eventually grew to be a healthy, well-socialized lioness that could one day become a mother herself, Detroit Zoo officials said in their farewell message.

Binti will soon be introduced to Slamson II, the Sacramento Zoo’s male lion.

This story was originally published November 15, 2024 at 1:17 PM.