Simba

Simba was born on 23 October 2020 through assisted reproductive technology, helping preserve his father Mufasa’s bloodline and marking an important milestone for Singapore Zoo. In his first month, feeding difficulties meant keepers had to provide supplemental bottle-feeding alongside mother Kayla’s care.

Fortunately, Kayla accepted the arrangement calmly — a reflection of the trust built over time between the lioness and her care team. Simba himself, meanwhile, seemed perfectly content with the additional catering arrangements.

Confident and highly observant, Simba appears to have adopted a very specific interpretation of lion behaviour: rest for long periods, remain alert throughout, and intervene immediately whenever something interesting happens.

Even when he appears fully asleep, enrichment tends to change that situation very quickly. He also shows sustained interest in activity within his habitat, including the moat, water movement, fish, and other environmental features.

Despite his many naps, Simba retains a rather busy schedule, participating in routine training sessions that support his ongoing care, including recall behaviours and early-stage stationing using positive reinforcement training.

His diet is also carefully managed by the animal care team and includes a variety of meats, bones, and nutritional supplements, adjusted to support healthy growth and development. Keepers also monitor his behaviour closely as part of daily welfare checks.

The population of African lions is declining due to habitat loss, reduced prey availability, and human-wildlife conflict. Poaching for their body parts for traditional medicine and amulets has emerged as a new and serious threat.

Through close-up encounters and educational programmes, Simba helps illustrate the realities faced by lions in the wild and supports broader awareness of the need to protect savannah ecosystems.