The Lion (Panthera leo) is the second largest feline species, after the tiger. The male lion, easily recognized by his mane, weighs between 150–250 kg while females range between 120 -150 kg. In the wild, lions live for around 10–14 years, while in captivity they can live over 20 years. Lions live in groups, called a pride. Recently, lions were added to the endangered species list - as their numbers decline due to game hunting and poaching.

The National Zoo is home to four lions, named Delilah, Millie, Sabi & Marjan.
Sabi & Marjan were born here in 2003.

The White Lion (Panthera leo krugeri) remains rare in the wild but is occasionally found in wildlife
reserves in South Africa. They are not a separate subspecies and they are
not albinos. The color is caused by a recessive gene and they vary from blonde
through to near white. This coloration gives white lions a distinct disadvantage
in nature because they are highly visible. This gives them away to their prey
and makes them an attractive target for hunters.

The National Zoo is home to 6 White Lions, including Jake & Mishka and the Brat Pack.

The Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is the most common tiger subspecies and is found primarily in India and closely surrounded regions. It's fur is a light orange-brown with black stripes. A mutation exists that sometimes produces white Bengal Tigers.
Male Bengal Tigers measure up to 2.7 - 3.6 m (including tail) and 180-300 kg.
Females grow to around 2.1 - 2.7 m (including tail) and 110-200 kg.
Estimates in 2005 indicate a worldwide population of 4,500 Bengal Tigers.

The National Zoo & Aquarium is home to Bakkar, one of Australia's largest Bengal
Tigers. Bakkar carries the white tiger gene and is a former resident of Dreamworld.

The Cougar (Puma concolor) or Puma is the largest of the 'small cats.'
The cougar has the largest range of any wild cat in the world. The cougar also has the largest range of any 'New World'

The Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is an endangered member of the cat family. It is the fastest of all land animals and although its fastest speed is unknown, it can reach speeds of more than 105km/per
hour in short bursts of up to 450-500 meters, as well as being able to accelerate from
0 to 110km/per hour in three seconds (faster than most 'super cars').

Cheetah sizes vary and range between 45 and 60kg. Males are usually slightly larger though
it is almost impossible to tell male cheetahs from females, based on their size and weight.

The National Zoo & Aquarium is home to 3 cheetahs: November (Nova), Zingala and Alisa

The Sun Bear (Helarctos malayanus) is a bear found primarily in the tropical rainforests of Southeast
Asia. The Sun Bear stands approximately 1.2 meters tall and weighs in at around 65kg. In captivity,
the Sun Bear can live up to 28 years of age. As primarily nocturnal creatures, the Sun Bear tends to
rest in trees (not too far above ground) during the day .

The Sun Bear is one of the most critically endangered animals in the world. This is mainly attributed
to bile farming (extracting bile from the gallbladders of live bears), and destruction of around 75%
of their natural habitat.

The National Zoo & Aquarium is home to 2 Sun Bears,a male named Arataki and Otay, a female

The Brown Bear (Ursus arctos) is a species of bear found throughout the Northern hemisphere. Weighing between 130–700kg, the European Brown Bear is the smallest of the brown bears.
Brown bears were once native to Asia, the Atlas Mountains in Africa, Europe and North America - but are now extinct in some areas and their populations have greatly decreased in others.

The Dingo (plural dingoes or dingos), Canis lupus dingo, is a type of wild dog, commonly described as an Australian Native, but is not restricted to Australia, nor did it originate there. Modern dingoes are found throughout Southeast Asia and in mainland Australia. Australian Dingoes may be descendents of Asian dingoes that were introduced to the continent some 3,000 to 4,000 years ago. Dingoes weigh between 10-24kg and stand at a shoulder height of
44-63cm tall. The Zoo is home to 2 Dingoes - Jumbany and Nara

The Koala (Phascolarctos cinereus) is a thickset arboreal marsupial herbivore native
to Australia. The Koala lives almost entirely on eucalypt leaves, has a very low
metabolic rate, for a mammal and rests for about 19-20 hours a day.
The Koala was hunted almost to extinction in the early 20th century, largely for its fur.
Koala numbers today are estimated at around 30,000. We have 2 Koalas - Winston and Matilda

The National Zoo & Aquarium is home to several other natives; these include -
Kangaroos - Red and Kangaroo Island, Common Wombats, Tasmanian Devils,
Wallabies - Swamp, Tammar and Parma, Little Penguins and Emus

The Giraffe (Giraffa camelopardalis) is an African mammal, and the the tallest of all land-living animals. Males can be 4.8 to 5.5 metres tall and weigh up to 1,360kg. Females are generally slightly shorter and weigh less than the males. Within the first week of being born,
a giraffe will grow one foot in height.

A giraffe can eat 63 kg of leaves and twigs daily. The giraffe will only sleep for 10 minutes at a time, and two hours in a 24-hour period. This has led to the myth that giraffes cannot lie down and that if they do so, they will die.

The National Zoo is home to 1 giraffe, named Humbekhali (Hummer)

The Slender-tailed Meerkat - (Suricata suricatta) is found in wide distribution in southern Africa.

The National Zoo & Aquarium is home to seven species of primate:

Black-Capped Capuchin, (Cebus apella), also known as Tufted Capuchin, or Brown Capuchin, may live either a solitary life, or in groups of 2 - 20. Named after a group of Franciscan friars, their black capped heads resemble the hoods worn they wore. Extremely intelligent, they are great problem solvers and are well known for using tools such as rocks and sticks to aid in food gathering. The island family members include Gonzo & Monyet and their children Macaco (Mac), Gomez and Peanut.

Black-and-white Colobus (Colobus guereza), is a heavy bodied animal with a long tail. They
have only 4 digits on each hand, which may be an adaptation for quick movements through the trees.
The life-span of the Colobus in up to 20 years in the wild and 29 in captivity. The Zoo is home to Chadwick and his daughter Charlie.

The Red Panda (Ailurus fulgens) is a mostly herbivorous mammal, and is slightly larger than your average domestic cat (around 55cm in length).

Red Pandas are native to Southeastern Asia, along a crescent formed by the Himalaya Mountains in Nepal, southern Tibet China, Bhutan and northeast India, then east into the Burma Highlands, the Gongshan Mountains of Yunnan China, and the Hengduan Mountains of
Sichuan China. Although the span of their inhabited area is so vast, their numbers of around 2,500 mature individuals has the Red Panda classified as an endangered species.

The National Zoo & Aquarium has 3 Red Pandas Eilish & Tenzin, and their new cub Makalu