New Jaguar Resident Lua Joins Brevard Zoo’s Rainforest Habitat as Part of Conservation Effort

Lua has already begun acclimating to her new environment and animal care team

BREVARD COUNTY • MELBOUNRE, FLORIDA – The Brevard Zoo’s Rainforest Revealed loop has a stunning new addition—Lua, a five-year-old female jaguar who recently arrived from Zoo de Granby in Quebec, Canada.

Lua joins the Brevard Zoo as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan, a collaborative program designed to maintain a healthy and genetically diverse population of jaguars in human care.

“It’s incredible that we are once again going to be contributing to the Jaguar SSP,” said Sidnee Santana-Mellor, Curator of The Americas. “Lua is a beautiful animal with a curious spirit, and we’re thrilled to have her here.”

The SSP program will soon bring a male jaguar to the Zoo as a potential companion for Lua. The pair will play a vital role in future conservation efforts to sustain the species for generations to come.

Lua has already begun acclimating to her new environment and is forming a strong bond with her animal care team.

“She is acclimating to her new space well and getting to know her keepers,” Santana-Mellor said. “She is readily accepting reinforcement from us and even doing training behaviors!”

Visitors curious about distinguishing Lua from longtime resident Masaya can look for a few key differences. Lua’s coat is lighter with golden-yellow hues, and she has sharper facial features. Masaya, now 21 years old, has a rounder face and a more petite frame.

While Lua represents the next chapter in the Brevard Zoo’s jaguar conservation efforts, Masaya remains a beloved part of the Zoo family.

Over the years, Masaya has given birth to six cubs and became a great-grandmother in 2024. Though she is now past breeding age, she continues to enjoy her golden years with attentive care from the Brevard Zoo staff.

Guests are encouraged to visit the Rainforest Revealed habitat soon to welcome Lua and celebrate the Zoo’s ongoing commitment to species preservation.

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