While initially hesitant to put a furry in a cage with a lion, local activists mounted a campaign pressuring the zoo to affirm the furries' identity as big cats. "Let-them-in! Let-them-in!" chanted protesters outside the lion exhibit, demanding the furries, named Xander and Nala, be allowed to join its big cat family.
After weeks of protests, the Zoo caved and agreed to let them join their adopted herd at the exhibit. "Welp, here goes nothing," said zookeeper Alex Taylor, opening the cage. "Head on in, just be careful to - aa!!! Aaa!!! Run, Xander!! Oh no, Nala! There goes one leg! There goes the other! Oh man, oh this is terrible!"
