The Wildlife Edit: What’s on the Menu?

This month, we got an inside look at what the lions at Audubon Zoo eat (and found out what they’re really like). 

At Audubon Zoo, the lion habitat is home to a lively family of seven. Behind the scenes, their days revolve around carefully planned meals, big personalities, and plenty of playful chaos. 

According to Andrew Haertzen, Assistant Curator of Africa at Audubon Zoo, no two lions, or days in their lives, are ever quite the same.

The group includes Arnold, the 11-year-old male, along with three adult females: Nia, Kali, and Zuri, all aged 10. The pride recently welcomed three cubs as well: the females Nandi and Zawadi, and Tatu, a male, who are about four months old and already full of curiosity.

What’s on the Menu?

Meals for the lions are carefully designed to meet their nutritional needs. Their main food (also known as “primary fare”) is specifically formulated ground meat mix, which keepers refer to as their “complete diet.”

But mealtime doesn’t stop there. To keep things interesting—and to encourage natural behaviors—the lions also enjoy enrichment foods like rabbit, beef heart, and beef shank. Occasionally, they’re even given whole prey such as goats or sheep, allowing them to tear and chew just like they would in the wild. 

Seasonal treats make feeding time even better. Pumpkins, watermelons, and coconuts double as both snacks and toys, giving the lions something new to investigate. During the hot Louisiana summer, keepers also make frozen treats known as “bloodsicles,” made from frozen meat juices.  

Holiday-themed meals and special occasions featuring whipped cream and fun presentations, keep the pride engaged, entertained, and their bellies full!

Daily portions vary by lion. Arnold eats about 12 pounds of meat each day, while adult females usually eat four to six pounds. The cubs are still nursing but are beginning to sample about 1.5 pounds of ground meat daily as they grow, keeping them strong and healthy. 

Meet the Personalities of the Pride

While their meals are carefully planned, their personalities are anything but predictable. Haertzen shares:

“Arnold is a sensitive soul who marches to the beat of his own drum. Keepers adjust his routine to match his moods, and he appreciates his space and quiet time.

Kali is the glue that keeps everyone connected, carefully maintaining relationships and harmony within the pride.

Zuri is the playful spirit, always ready to bat around a melon, pumpkin, or coconut. Her energy is infectious.

Nia is the calm balance—gentle, easygoing, and happy to go with the flow.

The cubs bring endless energy and curiosity. Zawadi is mischievous, Tatu dives headfirst into everything (with zero hesitation), and Nandi, while slightly more reserved, loves climbing on anything and everything.”  

“Lions are social cats, and that makes every day radically different,” says one zookeeper. “Watching the cubs grow and seeing the social bonds in the pride evolve is an amazing experience. You never know what will happen, and that unpredictability is what makes it so rewarding.” 

From frozen treats to cub mischief, life inside the pride at the Audubon Zoo is always full of surprises. As Haertzen puts it, this pride is a “living, breathing reminder of the complexity, intelligence, and playful spirit of these magnificent cats.”

Check back soon to see who we meet next!