El Paso Zoo Invites You to Say “Goodbye” To Xerxes

Our male African lion, Xerxes, is leaving the El Paso Zoo this Thursday, March 6. The lion is being moved to the Woodland Park Zoo in Seattle. Xerxes will be on display until Tuesday, March 4 at the El Paso Zoo.

The Seattle Zoo will bring us a new male African lion named Rubo. The swap is recommended for breeding by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan (SSP). The goal is to conserve species such as the African lion, who is currently listed as vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

"All of the staff in the African section of the Zoo will miss Xerxes. He kind of grew up with us. He's going to a good home and the young male we are receiving is a good match for our females" said Dee Nelson, Collections Supervisor.

Rubo will arrive at the El Paso Zoo next week.

The El Paso Zoo is located at 4001 E Paisano Dr, 79905. For more information, call (915) 521-1850.