Hunter Valley Zoo has welcomed two white lions to its family.
Two-year-old twins Kovu and Nala recently arrived from Darling Downs Zoo in Queensland and are settling into their new home at Nulkaba.
At an impressive 130 kilograms, Kovu (the Swahili word for scar) is already taller and longer than the zoo’s older male lion Bruiser, 17.
Nala, meaning gift in Swahili, is much smaller at about 80 kilograms, and is full of energy with a wonderful personality.
The lions made their public debut at Hunter Valley Zoo on Tuesday and appeared at ease in their surroundings, approaching the fence for a feed of meat and milk.
Hunter Valley Zoo owner Jason Pearson said a lot of work has gone into preparing the lions for public display.
Mr Pearson said the new lions are “a different ball game” to the three older lions the zoo welcomed in December last year.
“Kovu is an adolescent boy, and like any adolescent boy he’ll push the boundaries,” he said.
Mr Pearson said the zoo’s staff have done a lot of work with other zoos regarding lion safety, and some staff have even been to Africa for training.
Kovu and Nala are the only two white lions on display in a four-hour radius of Hunter Valley Zoo.
- This article first appeared on The Advertiser – Cessnock
