SWEETHEART

A LIONESS

Sweetheart is so named because she arrived at Shambala on Valentine's Day, 1995. Born in August, 1994, she lost her original home due to her owners' divorce. Idaho Fish and Game placed her temporarily at the Boise Zoo, and from there she came to Shambala. All four paws had been declawed, and the job had been done so badly that it had to be done over again. But thanks to the treatment of veterinarian Dr. Jon Bernstein and the care she has received at Shambala, Sweetheart is a fine, healthy and happy lady.

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 Sweetheart 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. Sweetheart's pride consists of Rowdy, Pumpkin, and Delilah. 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.

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