M'bari was introduced to the San Diego's Wild Animal Park in 2004 with the opening of Lion Camp when he was about two years old. He eventually moved to the San Diego Zoo in 2009 with his mate, Etosha who was born at the wild animal Park. I loved going there to spend time with him. I would just sit and close my eyes thinking about what he might be thinking. Something about that, brought peace and understanding that Lions are more than predators. They have lives and personalities of their own. I love that part. And I love being at one with all life. M'Bari knew his keepers and would come up to the fence, jump up with his giant front paws for treats and pets. He would ignore everyone else except... once I was there with my daughter-in-law and my grandgirls and we read the sign which said Lion's spray range is from 7-10 feet so we moved back. Sure enough, as if on cue, he ‘politely’ sprayed. Spraying is their way of marking their territory. Respect! Also, M'Bari would roar like clockwork in the early morning and late afternoon. People living up to three miles away could here this magnificent boy.
M'Bari was famous here in San Diego and to visitors around the world. When he passed away last year at age 15, we cried. But he lives on in hearts, memories and photographs.