Meet Tatu
Every word here is real.
All of it comes from the official arrival announcement. No made-up lore, just the king's move.
Age
7 years
Species
African lion
The move
Topeka → San Antonio
Where he's from
Topeka Zoo & Conservation Center
Tatu is coming to Texas from Topeka, Kansas.
Where he's going
African Savanna, San Antonio
His public debut will be on the African Savanna. The date isn't out yet.
Why he's moving
A conservation mission
Part of the AZA Species Survival Plan, a joint program that keeps lion populations healthy and genetically diverse for generations.
Who he'll meet
A lioness named Sarabi
Once he settles in, Tatu gets to safely meet Sarabi through protective barriers.
Settling in
His own care team
An animal care team will help him adjust, with individualized care for both lions so they can thrive.
What he's like
Playful, curious, spunky
That's how he's described, and he's expected to steal hearts at his debut.