Three Young Lions at Lincoln Park Zoo Set Off on New Adventures

CHICAGO (November 14, 2025) – African lions Pilipili, age 3, and Pesho and Sidai, both 2, will be leaving Lincoln Park Zoo in the coming weeks. Pilipili will transfer to Phoenix Zoo and Sidai and Pesho to Riverbanks Zoo & Garden in South Carolina.

These transfers are recommended by the African Lion Species Survival Plan®. This is a collaborative population management effort among institutions within the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. Guests can come say goodbye to Pilipili, Sidai, and Pesho during the first week of ZooLights Presented by Invesco QQQ and ComEd at Lincoln Park Zoo, starting November 21, or any day as the zoo is free and open 365 days a year.

“As the first cubs born at Pepper Family Wildlife Center, and the first cubs born at Lincoln Park Zoo in two decades, Pilipili, Sidai, and Pesho will always hold a special place in our hearts and the history of the zoo,” said Curator Cassy Kutilek. “From Pilipili’s calm oversight as the oldest, to the defiant nature of Sidai and Pesho’s ever present serenity, we’ll miss these boys deeply, but we’re also excited to see them go off and live their adult lives at two other amazing zoos.”

The three lions were born at Lincoln Park Zoo to parents Jabari and Zari. Pilipili was born on March 15, 2022, following the opening of the state-of-the-art Pepper Family Wildlife Center at the end of 2021. Pesho and Sidai were born in the same litter one year later, on January 9, 2023.

With the departure of the three adolescent lions, there is now room at Pepper Family Wildlife Center for future lion cubs. Jabari, Zari, and her sisters Cleo and Hasira will remain at Lincoln Park Zoo, so guests will still get to see lions on their visit. The three boys had been living as part of a coalition and separate pride from the adult lions like they would in the wild, so their departure will not have an impact on the adult lions.

About Lincoln Park Zoo

Lincoln Park Zoo inspires communities to create environments where wildlife will thrive in our urbanizing world. The zoo is a leader in local and global conservation, animal care and welfare, learning, and science. A historic Chicago landmark founded in 1868, the not-for-profit Lincoln Park Zoo is a privately-managed, member-supported organization and is free and open 365 days a year. Visit us at lpzoo.org.