Say Hello To Simba: The 1st Sioux Falls Lion at 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 meet.

The Great Plains Zoo just introduced the first lion coming to Sioux Falls. Meet Simba. This gorgeous cat has called Detriot, Michigan home for over a decade.

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Thanks to the partnerships of the Detroit Zoo and the Association of Zoos and Aquariums, Simba will be the first lion at the new state-of-the-art lion exhibit at the Great Plains Zoo. He looks absolutely magnificent!

The staff at the Great Plains Zoo is thrilled to introduce Simba to the Sioux Empire! Before he is ready to greet visitors in person, Simba will take some time to get familiar with his new environment.

In the near future, he'll arrive at our zoo to begin acclimating to his new surroundings and care team. This is a process that cannot be rushed, as the wellbeing, safety, and comfort of our animals is our top priority.

The Great Plains Zoo is also working with the Association of Zoos and Aquariums on the African Lion Species Survival Plan (SSP) program. This will help the Great Plains Zoo find a recommended female lion as a potential mate for Simba. It's all so exciting!

Simba's family at the Detroit Zoo will miss him dearly. But they know the Great Plains Zoo will give Simba "the highest level of care in his new home and continue to be a fantastic ambassador for African lions in the wild."

Welcome to Sioux Falls, Simba! We cannot wait to see you at long last finally.

32 Things to Do in Sioux Falls This Summer That Are Absolutely Free!

Sure, there are tons of things to do in the Sioux Empire every summer, but if your entertainment budget is small (or zero), we have the solution - actually, we have lots of solutions.

Here is a list of family-friendly (and some, just adult-friendly) events happening this summer in the Sioux Falls area that you should check out. Oh, the best part, everything on this list is FREE.

Gallery Credit: Karla Brown

The 10 Largest Occupations in Sioux Falls

Where do people in Sioux Falls work? If this was fifty years ago the average Sioux Fallsian worked in some industrial, meat packing, or farm-related position. Sioux Falls has also been the major regional medical center for decades.

Customer service and other retail-related jobs have always been a part of the Sioux Empire's economy. But in recent years those industries have become major employers.

If you live in Sioux Falls, there's a pretty good chance you work one of these jobs. According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, these are the top 10 largest occupations in Sioux Falls (as of 2022).

Gallery Credit: Ben Kuhns

Source: Say Hello To Simba: The 1st Sioux Falls Lion at Great Plains Zoo