A photograph of two young male lions, Hugo and Henri, who are coming to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay from the Oklahoma City Zoo. The two lions stand side-by-side atop a rounded, sandy brown rock hill under a bright blue sky with light, wispy clouds. Hugo stands on the left, looking slightly off-camera to the left, while Henri stands on the right, looking directly forward. Both lions feature early stages of short, developing manes around their necks. In the background behind the hill, sparse, leafless winter trees stretch upwards, and a tall wooden post is partially visible on the far left.Hugo (L) and Henri, who are coming to Busch Gardens Tampa Bay from the Oklahoma City Zoo. Credit: c/o Busch Gardens

The stroll through Busch Gardens’ Edge of Africa used to be a surefire way to come face-to-face with lions and hyenas, but the Tampa theme park closed the area before 2025 for renovations to the space first opened in the late-’90s.

The improvements are finally done, and representatives for Busch Gardens Tampa Bay said that Lion & Hyena Ridge will be ready for visitors on July 25, the day after passholders get a sneak peek.

A press release says the 35,000 square-foot-exhibit includes a 270-degree viewing area, new habitats for the animals and four lion brothers—Pascal, Lou, Henri and Herman from the Oklahoma City Zoo—all born in 2024. Hyenas Dazi and Cazi, who already called Busch Gardens home, are also part of the exhibit.

Credit: c/o Busch Gardens

Credit: c/o Busch Gardens

Credit: c/o Busch Gardens

A wildlife photograph of Dazi, a spotted hyena, exploring the outdoor habitat at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. The hyena stands center frame on a reddish-brown, tiered rock formation, facing forward and looking directly toward the camera. Its coat features characteristic dark brown spots over a lighter tan fur, with a hint of warm orange-brown coloration along the top of its neck and shoulders. The background shows the enclosure's naturalistic layout, with sandy ground textures, additional rock walls, and a patch of vibrant green grass growing along the upper left ridge.Dazi, a hyena at Busch Gardens Tampa Bay. Credit: c/o Busch Gardens

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This article appears in July 16 – 22, 2026.

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Read his 2016 intro letter and disclosures from 2022 and 2021. Ray Roa started freelancing for Creative Loafing Tampa in January 2011 and was hired as music editor in August 2016. He became Editor-In-Chief…
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