Dane County Executive Joe Parisi welcomed a new female African lion to the Henry Vilas Zoo Thursday.
The lioness, named Shakura, is two and a half years old and came to the zoo from Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kan., according to a press release from Parisi’s office.
The zoo brought in Shakura to pair with an older male lion, Henry, to preserve the lion species over generations as part of the Lion Species Survival Plan, Zoo Director Ronda Schwetz said in the release.
Dane County Supervisor Chuck Erickson said he is excited Shakura has finally arrived at the zoo and also said community members are looking forward to seeing the new lioness.
“The Vilas and Greenbush neighborhoods, as well as the larger Dane County community are thrilled about the new addition to our world class and free, Henry Vilas Zoo,” Erickson said in the release.
