New Lion Pride Debuts at Disney's Animal Kingdom: Meet Mshango, Zahara, and Neema

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New Lion Pride at Kilimanjaro Safaris 2024

Posted: Thursday December 5, 2024 9:45am ET by WDWMAGIC Staff

Three lion siblings—Mshango, Zahara, and Neema—have joined the savanna at Disney's Animal Kingdom, bringing their youthful energy and curiosity to the Kilimanjaro Safaris experience.

Perched atop the iconic kopje rocks, this new pride offers guests an up-close look at their regal presence and playful personalities.

New Lion Pride at Kilimanjaro Safaris 2024

Mshango, Zahara, and Neema are adjusting to their new surroundings just in time to coincide with the release of Mufasa: The Lion King, premiering in theaters on December 20. This live-action prequel highlights the significance of preserving the habitats that lions call home, a mission echoed by Disney's ongoing global "Protect the Pride" campaign.

"Protect the Pride" Conservation Efforts

In celebration of the film, Disney is relaunching its "Protect the Pride" initiative. This conservation campaign supports the Wildlife Conservation Network's Lion Recovery Fund (LRF), which works to double the number of wild lions by 2050. You can learn more about these efforts at Disney.com/MufasaProtectThePride.

The addition of Mshango, Zahara, and Neema to the Animal Kingdom family also serves a vital role in conservation. These lions are part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), which ensures responsible breeding to maintain genetic diversity. Over time, they may contribute to this program, symbolizing hope for the future of lion populations.

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The Colonel2 days ago

Disney will dope them up real proper. For the next 20 years they'll be laying up on that rock watching the buses go by, waiting for their next fix.

arich356 days ago

Male lion at the St. Louis zoo based away a month or so ago too (unless that is the one you are talking about)

eliza61nyc6 days ago

They are gorgeous

Horizons '836 days ago

For all the things that Disney fails at recently, this isn't one of them. They truly care about these animals and invest in their wellbeing and its evident.

Captain Barbossa6 days ago

Good looking bunch. I’m surprised the new pride came in as quickly as they did. Thought it might be a few months. Hats off to the specialists at AK. The male lion that’d been at my local zoo for roughly 25 years passed earlier this fall. Fathered around 10-15 cubs. Hoping to get a new one in the near future. Seeing this youngster put a smile on my face.

wdwmagic6 days ago

New Lion Pride Debuts at Disney's Animal Kingdom: Meet Mshango, Zahara, and Neema https://www.wdwmagic.com/attractions/kilimanjaro-safaris/news/05dec2024-new-lion-pride-debuts-at-disneys-animal-kingdom-meet-mshango,-zahara,-and-neema.htm

The Colonel6 days ago

Even lions retire to Florida, probably near Boca. My mother always said, "Live on Fisher Island, get buried in Palm Beach. That way, you'll have the best of Florida."

Unbanshee6 days ago

https://blogmickey.com/2024/12/new-lions-animal-kingdom/

cjkeating6 days ago

They just got old. One of the female lions died a few years ago. It isn't the first time the lions have been retired/replaced.

donaldtoo7 days ago

I know, this was my first thought. So they’re “retiring” to yet another place where they’re pampered, chill all day and night, and don’t hafta’ hunt for their own meals…???!!!!! 🤔🤣 Rough life, that…!!! 😉