Xhosa

a Lioness

Xhosa is named for a South African tribe from the regions of Ciskei and Transkei. She was born in November, 1996, and purchased by a dentist from a pet store in Cleveland. The good doctor very quickly discovered that even tiny, adorable lion cubs are still wild animals and simply do not make good pets! He contacted the A.S.P.C.A. and soon Xhosa was given a home at Shambala.

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 Xhosa do not have a mane and usually are more slender and about a foot shorter than the male.

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. Xhosa was introduced to two other recently-rescued young lions Cyrus and Zoe, and this formed another pride at Shambala.  Lions were once widespread across Africa, southern europe, the Middle East, and India. Now they are largely confined to the plains of East Africa, with a few scattered colonies elsewhere, including the Gir Forest in Northern India.

All of us at Shambala would like to join Xhosa in thanking you for your kind and generous support.

Would you like to "adopt" Xhosa, or one of our other "Wild Ones?"
Check out our exciting "Adopt-a-Wild One" program!