Did you know that the AVR supports Basel Zoo by sponsoring a lion? You benefit from this commitment as a member: By showing your Roche badge, you receive a CHF 5 discount on day passes to the zoo (“Zolli”)! But what impact does this commitment have in the Gamgoas enclosure?
Currently, the enclosure is ruled by two strong lionesses, Nyoma and Nikisha. After the last male lion passed away in 2022 at the impressive age of 20, the zoo is now looking for a new male to resume the breeding program. The requirements are high: The newcomer must be of purely southern origin and experienced enough to assert himself against the two confident females that grew up here.
As the only social big cats, lions are crepuscular animals that enjoy resting for up to 20 hours a day. Five times a week, they are fed whole carcasses (e.g., fallen game or farm-slaughtered animals), which keeps the animals physically and mentally engaged. A little secret often hidden from normal visitors: In winter, the lionesses love to warm themselves up on specially heated rocks in the outdoor enclosure!
However, our donation and the voluntary conservation franc (CHF 1 upon entry, funded by the AVR for you) do not just go into local animal care. The zoo significantly supports the Big Life Foundation in Kenya. This funds game wardens and organizes the “Maasai Olympics.” At this festival, young warriors now prove their courage through athletic disciplines instead of killing a lion as a ritual, as they did in the past.
Anyone wishing to learn more about the future of the zoo is encouraged to visit the anniversary exhibition “2049.” Visit Nyoma and Nikisha and experience firsthand how your AVR membership directly contributes to protecting these fascinating animals!
The interview was conducted on August 26, 2026, by Fabian Schmidt—a trained biologist, zoologist, and curator for various animal species at Basel Zoo for the past 7 years—and Sandra Leoni, board member at the AVR.