San Antonio Zoo Welcomes Lion Tatu
The 7-year-old African lion arrived from the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center as part of a national animal population program.
Updated on Nov. 2, 2026 in Wildlife
The San Antonio Zoo received Tatu, a 7-year-old African lion, from the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center. Tatu will be housed separately from Sarabi, an 18-year-old African lion at the zoo, with supervised interaction through protective barriers.
Why it matters
The move is part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, a nationwide effort to maintain healthy and genetically diverse animal populations. Keeping the lions in separate spaces protects their safety while still allowing social contact.
Tatu was born July 25, 2019, at the Denver Zoo and lived for three years at the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center before arriving in San Antonio. The zoo has not announced when he will make his public debut.
The players
San Antonio Zoo
A zoo in San Antonio, Texas, that houses a wide range of animals and participates in coordinated breeding programs.
Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center
A zoo in Topeka, Kansas, where Tatu lived for three years before his transfer to San Antonio.
Association of Zoos and Aquariums
A national accreditation and professional organization that runs the Species Survival Plan coordinating animal transfers among member institutions.
The details
Tatu is described as playful, intelligent, and a little cautious, and he likes rabbits and bones. Animal care staff will let Tatu and Sarabi see, smell, and interact through protective barriers while he adjusts to his new surroundings.
Timeline
July 25, 2019: Tatu is born at the Denver Zoo.
Past three years: Tatu lives at the Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center.
November 2, 2026: Tatu's arrival at the San Antonio Zoo is reported.
No date set: Tatu's public debut at the San Antonio Zoo.
Wildlife Coordination
Tatu's transfer follows the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan, which coordinates lion movements between accredited zoos to keep captive populations genetically diverse. The program moves animals across state lines so that breeding decisions are made at the population level rather than zoo by zoo.
San Antonio residents can expect Tatu to become a visible new resident at the zoo once he makes his public debut, which has not yet been scheduled. Visitors who want to see the lions should check the zoo's schedule once the date is announced.
The takeaway
Coordinated transfers like Tatu's are how accredited zoos keep animal populations healthy without relying on any single institution. Watching how Tatu settles in will show how well separate-but-connected housing works for lions in practice.
Further reading
Explore more wildlife coverage for related stories on zoo animal programs and conservation.
Source note: This article includes information reported by KABB.
