Golden Girls in Their Golden Years
Posted at 10:56 am February 19, 2008 by Hali Anderson
There are two lovely ladies worthy of mention that reside at the top of Bear Canyon at the San Diego Zoo. Coats that glisten in the sun, huge round eyes, impressive paws, and graceful strides belong to 15-year-old Transvaal lioness sisters Mweezi and Tango.You can easily tell them apart because Tango is missing part of her tail from an injury incurred as a cub. Mweezi has a distinguished pirate look as she is missing her left eye, a result of chronic corneal ulceration.
Mweezi and Tango are very affectionate and quite attached to one another. I have seen them taking turns with bathing duties, licking hard to reach areas like ears and necks with the utmost of care. They also like to snuggle together in their beds, sometimes with a paw draped over the other or a head resting blissfully across her sister’s body. Much of the time the pair can be viewed lying about in their big, fluffy Bermuda hay beds in this manner, but if you’re patient, or maybe just lucky, you might get to see the girls in action.
For elderly lionesses, Mweezi and Tango actually can be quite kitten-like. There are two bowling ball-sized Boomer balls that the girls will actively pounce on and bat around the exhibit. This often occurs early in the morning on cooler, crisp days before it gets hot. Tango, being the more athletic of the two, will usually be the one swatting the balls up hill and pouncing on them when they roll down. However, Mweezi will sneak in there and do a bit of chasing as well. When Mweezi thinks it’s time to stop playing, she will pick the balls up and purposefully drop them over the exhibit edge into the moat where they will stay until retrieved by a keeper.
Other objects of affection are the multitude of small logs and wood chunks lying around the exhibit. I like to refer to these as their “log babies,” because the girls like to bring them in to bed and cradle them lovingly between their front paws. Because Mweezi has a digestive condition, we have to be careful about the objects she is given for fear of her injesting them. Luckily, the log babies are not of any concern and the girls seem to cherish them.
Other things Mweezi and Tango enjoy are food tosses from the roof. Tango actually makes a game out of it by trying to catch the meatballs or beef heart chunks directly in her mouth. You can see the look of pride on her face when she does catch one, as if she’s saying, “Look at me, I did it!” The crowd usually cheers, which only boosts her ego more. Mweezi, on the other hand, likes the tosses in a different way. She is a bit slower and calmer than her feisty sister so instead of trying to catch the food, she does a happy little trot to where it drops and takes her time savoring the morsel. Bloodsicles made from beef blood are another favored treat, especially in summer!
When you visit the Zoo next, make sure you take a peek at Mweezi and Tango. Even lying around, as lionesses naturally do, these beauties are impressive to see. And if you’re really blessed, you’ll hear them roaring together, an amazing sound not easily forgotten as it rumbles through the canyon.
Hali Anderson is a senior keeper at the San Diego Zoo.
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February 19th, 2008 at 11:31 am
what good girls…i will look for them next time i come to the zoo. just goes to show you can’t take the kitten out of the cat. thank you for the great post!
February 19th, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Thanks, Hali,
What a wonderful story about two fabulous girls! They are blessed to be together to live out their golden years in the lap of luxury at SDZ with thousands of admirers visiting them all year long. Since you did not mention it, I am wondering if either of them had cubs during their time in captivity. How long have they been at SDZ? What is the average life span for lions in captivity?
February 19th, 2008 at 1:20 pm
I always look in on them during zoo visits — beautiful, mature cats. Thanks for the lovely insight into their lives.
February 19th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Thank you Hali!
These gorgeous sisters are so endearing! To be able to be with each other through old age is a blessing to them both. Made possible by all the wonderful staff of the Zoo and their dedication and love. Would that we all could go through old age so well cared for and beloved. They are truly ” Golden Girls” more precious than gold itself. Bless them and all who provide their care.
Blessed Be, Judy J
February 19th, 2008 at 4:05 pm
Thank you so much Hali for a great story and obvious tribute to the ladies! Cant wait to get to the zoo soon and check them out. =)
February 19th, 2008 at 5:25 pm
Wow, they are beautiful indeed! Thanks for the wonderful tribute to these two magnificent ladies. I love how they are so loving with each other…sisters and best friends in life.
February 20th, 2008 at 9:11 am
WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Questions:
1.Are they new @ the zoo?
2.Did either of them have cubs?
3.Is there a male lion in their exhibit?
4.Do they interact with the young female and male(the ones that were in the Wild Park but got moved?
February 20th, 2008 at 11:30 am
I’ve been having good luck with the ladies lately. I seem to be able to catch them when they are up front and awake. But I still haven’t manged to witness them playing.
February 20th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
Hi, Hali! I have a question for you, ok? I read your blog about the 2 lioness sisters, and I thought that was very good in the way you described how these 2 girls get along. Sounds like human sisters to me! My question is this: Why are these lionesses called Transvaal lionesses, and where do these lions usually come from? I’ve never heard of lions having a particular species name to them. I thought that lions were pretty much from the same species line and were just called lions. Can you explain that to all of us? We will all appreciate it alot! Take care of these 2 precious girls!
Thanks,
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
February 20th, 2008 at 10:32 pm
Thank you everyone for your comments on the lion blog. Questions have come up from several of you that I will be answering in a future blog. It may take me a bit to get all the facts organized, but I promise to respond soon. Stay tuned! Hali
February 23rd, 2008 at 7:39 am
I have a couple of questions-
Why are they not with the other lions in lion camp with all the cubs?
Are they related to any other lions at the zoo?
Moderator’s note: The two ” Golden Girls” live at the San Diego Zoo. Lion Camp with its newest cub members is located at the Zoo’s Wild Animal Park facility.
June 23rd, 2009 at 12:30 pm
Hi.
Are Izu and his mates (and children) Panthera leo krugeri as well?
Moderator’s note: Yes.