A roaring reveal

The duo at the heart of our new pride of lions have been named thanks to a public vote.

Two female southern African lions arrived at the Park in early June and are settling into their new home.

At the time of their arrival, a naming competition was announced on our social media channels, with six options including, Kendi, Kabira, Reya, Amari, Imani and Asha. Each was chosen for its Swahili translation, and in a new video, lead carnivore keepers Caleb Hall and Kayleigh Smith reveal the two winning names.

Kayleigh said “Our two sisters are settling in really well and we’ve been getting to know. We are very much in love with them already.”

Caleb said “The public have helped us choose the names, and they are now known as Kendi and Reya, which we’re really pleased with. Thank you for helping us name the lions”

Kayleigh said “These two names mean a lot to us. Kendi means ‘beloved’ or ‘loved one’, and they are both very loved by us, their keepers.

“And Reya means ‘Queen’ which we’ve dedicated to Malika and Jasira, and our other previous queens of the lion prides, who are sadly no longer with us.”

Kendi and Reya are from the southern sub-species of African lion, while the rest of the Park’s lions are from the northern sub-species.

The arrival of the two sisters marks the start of a new pride and generation of lions at Longleat.

Kendi and Reya can be seen in their own paddock, as guests leave Wolf Wood and look on the right as the Drive-Through Safai comes to an end.