The Big Cat Sanctuary is excited to welcome two majestic white lionesses, Zuri and Izulu, from their sister charity, Hertfordshire Zoo. These stunning sisters, known for their bold personalities, have retired to the Sanctuary to enjoy a peaceful and enriching new chapter of their lives.
On January 6th, Zuri and Izulu embarked on a two-hour journey to the Sanctuary, arriving safely at 3:00 pm. After a night of acclimating in their den, the lionesses were released into their new habitat on January 7th. Both began exploring immediately, with Zuri confidently taking the lead, climbing onto her platform to enjoy her new surroundings.
Their habitat is adjacent to the Sanctuary’s resident male African lion, Kasanga. As social animals, lions thrive in companionship, and the Sanctuary plans to introduce the trio gradually, creating a harmonious pride where they can live out their golden years together.
Izulu and Zuri were born at Hertfordshire Zoo (formerly Paradise Wildlife Park), with Izulu born on April 10th, 2009, and Zuri following on January 26th, 2013. Beloved figures at the zoo, the sisters brought joy to countless visitors. Izulu, known for her calm and composed demeanour, contrasts with Zuri, affectionately nicknamed ‘the troublemaker’ for her playful antics, from chasing pigeons to dismantling plants.
White lions, like Zuri and Izulu, owe their distinctive white coats to a genetic condition known as leucism. While they are not a separate subspecies of African lions, their presence at the Sanctuary supports its mission of education and conservation, providing visitors with a unique chance to understand the diversity and complexity of wildlife better.
The Big Cat Sanctuary will share regular updates on Zuri and Izulu’s progress as they settle into their new home. Follow their journey through the Sanctuary’s website and social media channels to witness these incredible lionesses embracing their retirement.