Rowdy
a Lion
Born
in 1991, Rowdy once had a career in the security profession--as a guard lion for
a Texas drug dealer. When the
dealer was put in jail, he asked his son to take care of the lion. The son did not, and Rowdy was without food and water for
several days. >He then was
confiscated, finally arriving at the Shambala Preserve in April, 1994.
Often called the King of Beasts, the lion (Panthera leo) is the second largest member of the cat family. A large male lion measures from 9 to 10 feet (2.7 to 3.0 meters), including the tufted tail, and stands more than 3 feet (0.9 meter) tall at the shoulders. He can weigh about 400 pounds (180 kilograms). His body is covered with short yellow-brown hair, and a coarse mane grows on his head, neck, and shoulders. Lionesses like the light blonde
Lions are social creatures, forming groups called prides, which may consist of up to 12 related females and their cubs, and up to six males. Much of the hunting is done by the lionesses. Rowdy currently heads a pride consisting of lionesses Delilah, Pumpkin, and Sweetheart It took almost a year to introduce the pride, but now they are very happy together
All of us at Shambala would like to join Rowdy in thanking you for your kind and generous support.
Would you like to "adopt" Rowdy, or one of our other "Wild Ones?"
Check out our exciting "Adopt-a-Wild One" program!