By Staff Reports
(WAIKĪKĪ) –The Honolulu Zoo is pleased to announce the arrival of an adult lion. Enzi, a male lion, was transported to the Honolulu Zoo last Thursday evening from Indiana. He is 8 years old and was born on September 21, 2015 in Indianapolis.
Enzi weighs approximately 440 pounds and will be housed in the lion habitat where Moxy, the zoo’s female lioness resides. Enzi and Moxy are not a planned breeding pair as Moxy is past her breeding age at 14 years old.
Enzi will be required to complete a 120-day quarantine period before the public will be able to see him in his exhibit in late September.
“With the continued assistance of the Honolulu Police Department’s solo bike escort team, we are happy to announce the safe arrival of Enzi, our new male lion,” said Honolulu Zoo Director Linda Santos. “We are very fortunate that the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) was able to identify a male lion for the Honolulu Zoo and we are all very excited to welcome him to his new home in the African Savanna.”
Lions are the second largest cat in the world, after tigers. Native to Africa and India, lions have a muscular, broad-chested body with a hairy tuft at the end of its tail, and males are recognized for their prominent mane. To hunt prey, lions can run quick, short bursts at approximately 30-37 mph, with top speeds recorded as high as 46 mph. African lions are listed as vulnerable of extinction by the IUCN due to habitat loss and hunting.