The Sacramento Zoo received Binti under the species survival plan, which helps maintain a diverse and biologically sound population. The Land Park zoo has frequently engaged in those exchanges — a snow leopard named Blizzard left the capital city in October under the same program.

The Sacramento Zoo welcomed a three-year-old male African lion named Slamson II earlier in 2024. For the moment, zookeepers say Binti and Slamson II are swapping habitat time. The goal will be to introduce the pair in the future. Binti was the first lion cub born at the Detroit Zoo in 40 years, officials said.

Binti came to the zoo as part of the Lion Species Survival Plan. It's a mission by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums for the conservation of anima