The Great Cats exhibit on Lion/Tiger Hill features Sumatran tigers and African lions—living, breathing, roaring great cats. They are ambassadors for their wild relatives, and for the Zoo’s conservation and science initiatives for tigers, lions, and many other cats, which, even if not great in size, are still great!

Exam for Male Lion, Training for Everyone

Shera, one of the Zoo's lionsLuke, the Zoo's young male African lion, got his second thorough exam recently. He now weighs 425 and has not yet reached his full adult size. Luke and the Zoo's three female lions are now in the process of learning to receive injections from their indoor enclosures. As usual, Shera (shown at left) is progressing the fastest in her training.
click toFind out more in the latest keeper update.

Lions on Exhibit

Nababiep and Shera can be seen in their yard at Great Cats together. Lusaka and Luke are in separate yards. The lions are on exhibit at different times, and their schedules vary. The Zoo's great cats are on exhibit every day between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.

Sumatran Tiger Leaves for Another Zoo

Maharani, our slightly bigger young female, has arrived safely at Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, Texas. She is about the age when a young tiger would find her own territory. The Sumatran Tiger Species Survival Plan, which the Zoo participates in, recommended this move. We will miss her!tiger cub in June

The Zoo is still home to two Sumatran tigers who were born two and a half years ago, as well as their parents. The male cub, Gunter, weighs 242 pounds, and Melati, the female cub, is 180 pounds. They may be full grown according to the scale, but are not quite "grownups" yet.
Find out more in the latest Tiger Cub Diary entry.

See the cubs, their mother, Soyono, and their father, Rokan, at the Great Cats exhibit or on the tiger cam. We hope all Zoo visitors get a chance to see the cubs, and appreciate their understanding if the cats are inside during their visit.

There are fewer than 500 Sumatran tigers in the wild. link toDonate to the Tiger Conservation Fund.

New Cheetah at the Zoo

Amani, female cheetah at the ZooAmani, a two-year-old female cheetah, recently went on exhibit at the National Zoo's Cheetah Conservation Station. She came to the Zoo from an Oregon animal park in late December, but had been kept off exhibit until she became accustomed to her new surroundings. Visitors can now see Amani daily at the Cheetah Conservation Station.

Animal care staff hope that she will breed with one of the Zoo's three cheetah brothers in the future. It will be up to Amani to choose which of the cheetahs, if any, she wants to breed with—the same type of breeding behavior that a female cheetah in the wild would display. click to Learn about cheetahs.

link to Tiger Photo Gallery | link toHelp with cam

Can’t see any animals?
The animal in this exhibit may have moved out of view. FONZ volunteers operate some cams, but most of our cams show a fixed view.

Watching a Sumatran tiger Two adult tigers and two of their cubs live at the National Zoo. Tigers spend most of their day resting and sleeping. In fact, resting comes before other activities like grooming and swimming.
Fun Facts About Cats | Support the Tiger Conservation Fund

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     Lions

Lots of Cats

The Zoo's Cheetah Conservation Station is home to four cheetahs. Sumatran tigers and African lions live at Great Cats. Fishing cats and clouded leopards live on Asia Trail. Learn about cats at the Zoo.

Lions and tigers are on exhibit between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., daily (weather permitting).

Cat Conservation

African lionLarge or small, cats are graceful, specialized, and powerful animals. Yet, they are among the most endangered. Zoo conservation biologists are working with colleagues on lions’ home ground in Africa, and tigers’ in Asia, to develop the scientific understanding necessary for effective conservation. Zoo scientists are studying the ecology, behavior, and reproductive biology of tigers, lions, and many other cat species, including cheetahs, clouded leopards, and fishing cats. more

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