The Potawatomi Zoo opened the Wilma and Peter Veldman Family Lion Habitat with a ribbon cutting ceremony that took place on Thursday, June 29.

Speakers at the ribbon cutting included Josh Sisk, executive director of the Potawatomi Zoo; Margie Anella, director of development of the Potawatomi Zoo; Amber Pulford, president of the Potawatomi Zoo Board of Directors; Mark Neal, president of the Parks Board of Commissioners; and Matthew Edmonds, representing the Wilma and Peter Veldman Family. The zoo’s new pride of lions—Kembe, Shtuko, and Shaba—made an appearance in their completed outdoor habitat as well.

Formerly the zoo’s chimpanzee habitat, the new lion habitat was part of the zoo’s Big & Loud capital campaign to bring giraffes and lions to the zoo. The lion portion of the project cost a little over $1.5 million and was fully funded in spring 2022. Renovations were performed during 2022 and 2023 by Majority Builders.

While they’re getting used to their new space, the lions will have access to both the indoor and outdoor spaces, which are both visible to the public.

Kembe, Shaba, and Shtuko came to the Potawatomi Zoo on the recommendation of the Lion Species Survival Plan program. Kembe and Shtuko have a breeding recommendation from the S.S.P.

The lions are all ten years old, although Kembe is a little older than the lionesses, who are sisters. He is unrelated to Shaba and Shtuko.

All three lions were rescued as babies in South Africa and were unable to be re-released. When they were old enough, they were moved a United States facility accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, and they have lived together as a pride since 2013.