New Lions on the Savanna at Animal Kingdom

December 5, 2024

Disney’s Newest Lion Pride Strides onto The Savanna

There’s a new pride on the savanna, sitting atop the highest point, overlooking the lush sun-kissed Harambe Wildlife Reserve at Disney’s Animal Kingdom.

The Genie Transportation Services

Meet siblings Mshango, Zahara and Neema, three lions bringing their vibrant energy as they join the savanna this week. These young and regal lions are already making their roars heard and showing guests their playful and cub-like spirit on the Kilimanjaro Safaris.

These majestic and curious cats are exploring their new habitat just weeks before The Walt Disney Studios’ newest live action film, Mufasa: The Lion King, will debut on the big screen, sharing the power of nature with millions of viewers around the world. This inspiration will extend beyond the theater, reaching the savanna at Disney’s Animal Kingdom and energizing a deeper connection to the wild. The film highlights the importance of preserving the natural habitats that lions, like Mufasa, call home.

As part of Disney’s ongoing conservation efforts and in celebration of Disney’s Mufasa: The Lion King opening exclusively in theaters on December 20, we’re proud to relaunch the global “Protect the Pride” conservation campaign to support the Wildlife Conservation Network’s Lion Recovery Fund (LRF) and LRF’s partners working across Africa to double the number of lions in the wild by 2050.

Learn more about Disney’s commitment to “Protect the Pride” at Disney.com/MufasaProtectThePride because when we protect lions, we protect the circle of life.

Mshango, Zahara, and Neema represent an important part of the future of the lion population. In time, they could breed with members of another pride as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP), which is designed to ensure the responsible breeding and genetic diversity of animal populations, many of which are threatened or endangered in the wild.

As they make their new home around the kopjes rocks on Kilimanjaro Safaris, we look forward to sharing more of their adventures and their lives on the savanna.

For the latest updates on the new arrivals and all the animals at Walt Disney World Resort, follow Dr. Mark on Instagram and Disney’s Animals, Science and Environment Facebook page.

Celebrate 30 Years of The Lion King at Animal Kingdom

author avatar
Michele Atwood Founder & Editor-in-Chief, The Main Street Mouse
Michele Atwood is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Main Street Mouse, one of Florida's leading Disney and theme park news sources since 2010. A credentialed Disney Partner and media professional, Michele serves as a theme park contributor and insider for Fox 35 Orlando and WDBO radio covering Disney and Central Florida attractions. Michele has also contributed to the Orlando Sentinel, WESH 2, and Spectrum News 13. Michele is the published author of four books — "Moving to Main Street U.S.A.," "How Many Sleeps Till Disney?," "How Many Sleeps Till Disneyland?" and "Daydream Believing: Confessions of a Grown Up Princess" and is co-owner of the House of Mouse Expo and Lost Princess Apparel. With over a decade of hands-on coverage of Walt Disney World, Disneyland, Disney Cruise Line, and Central Florida theme parks, Michele brings firsthand expertise and media access to every story she covers.



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