African Lions Dobi, Cooey and their two cubs Nathan and Shadow are on their way out of Saskatoon this November and visitors are sad to see them go.

"It's too bad they're leaving, it's nice when they're here and it would be nice to get them back here," said Mike Puderak, who was at the Forestry Farm Park and Zoo with his two boys on Oct. 7.

"We've seen them a few times coming to the zoo whenever we can. We thought we'd better come out this weekend and see the lions before they're gone."

Dobi and Cooey landed in Saskatoon in November 2008 on loan from zoos in Alberta and Ontario.

Originally the pair was on loan for two years, however, the loan was extended on Sept. 24, 2011 when the couple welcomed two cubs. Sticking around the Potash Corp Ark Exhibit, a space designated for temporary exhibits, the four lions have now grown too big for the room available, a big reason the lions are heading back to Ontario.

Irene Form, who lives just outside of Saskatoon said she is a regular at the Forestry Farm Zoo, adding she made frequent trips, just days apart, to see how much the cubs have grown.

"The lions are a big part of it. But variety is the spice of life," said Form, sharing her optimism on the next animal to occupy the Potash Corp Ark.

Ian Harrison made a seven-hour trip to Saskatoon for the Thanksgiving weekend and it was his sister who insisted he check out the lions before it's too late. Harrison said he's fortunate the weather was cooler as the animals are up and moving rather than basking in the heat of summer.

"It's important that everyone has the chance to see these animals, the purpose is for everyone to see and appreciate them," said Harrison about the lions. "I think it's important that they get to move around and other experience it as well. It's also sad that Saskatoon won't get to see them anymore."

The lions are headed back to Ontario.

fbiber@rawlco.com

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