Members of the cat family Felidae, Lions are some of the largest cats in the world. They are approximately 9 feet in length from the tip of the nose to the tip of the tail, stand approximately 36 inches in height at the shoulders, and weigh an average of 400 pounds. The female, or lioness, is a bit smaller than the male. They are tan in color and the male has a mane that surrounds its' head and continues down onto the back. Found throughout Africa and parts of Asia, their habitat consists of open grassland and open forest. They are rarely found in barren deserts or dense forest. Lions are the most social of all the cats and live in groups called prides. There are about 15 members in a pride, but some can grow to over 35 members. The females in the group are always related and one to three males control the pride. They are the most successful hunters in the cat family and make a kill in one out of five attempts. They hunt at night and then sleep most of the time, usually about 20 hours a day. They are strict carnivores and eat only meat. They hunt medium size prey such as zebras and wildebeest, but have been known to kill hippos, rhinos, and giraffes. Livestock issues and human depredation are the main concerns of many conservationists in Africa and Asia. The African lions' numbers are diminishing rapidly due to habitat destruction and persecution by livestock farmers outside of protected areas. In protected areas in Africa there are thought to be as many as 100,000 lions, but in Asia the number is much smaller and thought to be less than 500 lions. The cause of the Asian lions' small number is mainly due to habitat destruction. The American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA) has created a Species Survival Plan (SSP) for both the Asian and African lion to help rebuild the pure captive population. Many zoos participate in this program and only lions of known origin are included.

At the Little Rock Zoo we have two female lions, Nyla and Sydney. Because they are both of unknown origin they will not participate in the breeding program. These two can be seen playing in their exhibit most of the time but may be asleep due to lions sleep habits. At the end of each day they are brought into their night holding facility. Nyla and Sydney each receive about ten pounds of a specially prepared feline diet five days a week. The other two days they receive meaty bones. Come by and visit our beautiful lionesses, Nyla and Sydney, at the Little Rock Zoo.

In February 1984, a young lion named Kitty Cat was donated to the Little Rock Zoo. The zoo took him in and renamed him K.C. For almost 14 years, he lived in a cage in the zoo's cat house. With the high cost of building a proper habitat, there was no other choice. Due to a generous donation from Metropolitan National Bank K.C. moved to a new home. This natural area was designed just for him and allowed him to live like a lion should.

Everyone who was lucky enough to visit the Little Rock Zoo over the last 16 years got to see K.C. and watched him grow up before their eyes. Many got to know him. All grew to love him. He will be greatly missed.