When the Santa Barbara Zoo finally reopens this weekend after a three month shutdown due to coronavirus orders, visitors are going to get to meet its two newest residents. The zoo has two new African lions. A male named Ralph came from the Indianapolis Zoo. And, a female names Felicia came from the Riverbanks Zoo in Columbia, South Carolina. They both arrived in Santa Barbara in early May.
The zoo has had African lions since 1970. Gingerbread, the last female at the zoo died in 2017, and her mate Chadwick died last year. They had two offspring, which are living at different zoos now as part of nationwide zoo breeding program.
The zoo is reopening to its members this weekend, and to the public next week. However, because of coronavirus safety concerns, tickets are only available in advance online. The tickets are for specific dates and times, to limit the number of people at the zoo at any given time