By AP
Memphis, TN – New big cats come to Memphis Zoo
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) A young male lion and a female snow leopard have arrived at the Memphis Zoo.
The lion is Thabo (TAY'-boh) and the leopard is called Ateri.
Thabo was brought in from the Tulsa Zoo & Living Museum in Oklahoma, following the November death of the Memphis Zoo's first male lion, Fred, at age 20.
The lion's mane is just beginning to come in. He's not quite 2 years old. Zoo curator Herb Roberts told The Commercial Appeal Thabo's mane reminds him of his own beard when he was a teenager.
Ateri will eventually become the mate of male snow leopard Darham, but that's likely a year or more away.
Two female lions are due later this month at the zoo.