Meet Amahle: The New Queen of The Sioux Falls Great Plains Zoo

Exciting new adventures are happening at the Great Plains Zoo in Sioux Falls. The zoo is nearly ready to open new state-of-the-art exhibits and welcome new animal friends to Sioux Falls, especially the lions

The Great Plains Zoo recently introduced the first lion coming to Sioux Falls, named Simba. Since this momentous announcement, the Great Plains Zoo is pleased to introduce Simba's mate. Say hello to Amahle!

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What a pretty kitty Amahle is! She is a 10-year-old lion who is originally from the iconic Smithsonian's National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute in Washington D.C. After a long journey, Amahle will now proudly call Sioux Falls, South Dakota home. Her mission? Fall in love with the visitors at the Great Plains Zoo and mate with Simba!

Dakota News Now (with permission)

There's an adorable Facebook video from the Great Plains Zoo of Amahle getting acquainted with her Sioux Falls environment. Some caretakers would describe her as playful. Amahle enjoys carrying and batting around barrels and balls. How fun is she?!

Simba and Amahle have safely made it to Sioux Falls at long last! But before they are ready to greet visitors in person, Simba and Amahle need time to get familiar with their new home. However, there will be a huge celebration for the lions and the new habitat at the Great Plains Zoo in June:

The lions need the next month to acclimate to their new home, their care team, and each other - BUT join us for the ribbon-cutting of GPZ’s new lion habitat on June 28. Save the date!

Welcome to South Dakota, Amahle! We hope you and Simba feel the love already in Sioux Falls!

Sioux Falls: Then and Now

The City of Sioux Falls has changed dramatically over the past several years. Some of the streets, landscapes, and neighborhoods look vastly different than just 10-15 years ago.

Here's a look at Sioux Falls, then-and-now. See if you can recognize some of these old buildings, businesses, and city streets.

Gallery Credit: Andy Gott