Simba the lion to leave Detroit Zoo after more than a decade

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The Detroit Zoo is saying goodbye to a lion who has spent more than a decade at the zoo.

The lion, named Simba, will be moved to the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Simba has a newly constructed lion habitat waiting for him at his new home.

While Simba lived at the Detroit Zoo, he fathered one cub, Binti. The zoo did not have a specific date announced for the transfer, only saying that he will be leaving “in the near future.”

“Though we will miss him dearly, we know he will receive the highest level of care in his new home and continue to be a fantastic ambassador for African lions in the wild,” the Detroit Zoo said.

The Detroit Zoo announced Simba’s transfer on Thursday, May 9, 2024. The transfer is under the recommendation of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums.

Last summer, the Detroit Zoo said goodbye to three gorillas who had lived at the zoo for 20 years. The three gorilla brothers were transferred to the Cincinnati Zoo in July 2023.