Oh this is delightful news! The Utica Zoo has adopted some lions, just in time for the new season! From the Utica Observer Dispatch:

Bakari and Monni, a 6-year-old female lion, arrived on Nov. 18, marking the first time in almost 30 years that the zoo has had lions.

“We’re trying to bring a flavor of Africa,” animal curator Mike Bates said.

The lions were kept in a heated barn with an outside pen area over the winter until the snow melted in their new outdoor display. On Tuesday, Bakari moved to the exhibit area.

“He’s very mellow, very laid back about this,” Bates said.

Monni also is expected to be on display by the end of the week, just in time for the zoo’s seasonal opening on Saturday, Bates said.

Visitors also will be able to see other newcomers this weekend, including three Tibetan yaks and an African ostrich named “Boomer,” which are some of the 17 new species expected at the zoo by the end of the year.

It's nice to have some good news at the zoo. Jack the little baby sea lion pup died in 2008, Lenny the sea lion (a wonderful creature) died in September 2010, and the two beautiful tigresses, Monona and Wingra died in 2010 and 2011.

I think we'll make a trip to the Utica Zoo again this year. I want to see the lions! And Boomer sounds like a fun critter.

Opening season starts Saturday, April 2. Open daily from 10:00AM to 4:00PM. For more information, check out the Utica Zoo website.

Photo courtesy of Wikipedia.