Zoo Director Lee Jackson says as soon as late next year, Niabi could host a group of six.
"They are a highly social animal so you need to have them in groups so they can exhibit their natural behaviors. So we want to start with that group and the group will grow over time. In the wild they live in groups of 15 to 35 animals."
He says they're "incredibly interesting animals," but there are only about 5,000 left in the wild in Africa.
"They are important components of their ecosystems. They are a major predator, they are right up there with hyenas, lions, and leopards as far as how they help control their prey animals that they feed on."
The goal of the ten-day, online auction is to raise as much money as possible toward a final goal for the campaign of 400,000 dollars. That would allow the zoo to renovate the current lion exhibit for African Painted Dogs, and begin planning a new lion enclosure.
To find out what's up for bids, go to the Niabi Zoo website. Items include trips, electronics, sports memorabilia, baskets, and gifts.
