Perth Zoo lioness gets a new home

Shinyanga is enjoying her twilight years in a new $1.6 million home equipped with plenty of comfortable resting spots in the shade and lush green grass - not bad for an elderly lioness at Perth Zoo.

The first stage of the $3.3 million African lion exhibit was launched on Sunday, and when the second part is completed next year the zoo will have the capacity to hold a pride of eight lions.

The exhibit features a thatched hut, large viewing windows and moulds of lion paw prints to show visitors the size of the big cats.

There is also information about research to protect the species in the wild.

Once completed, the exhibit will include a breeding area with indoor dens and a separate outdoor section to provide privacy for a lioness and her cubs.

Environment minister Stephen Dawson described Perth Zoo as a "tremendous asset" to the state, with about 650,000 visitors every year.

"When stage two is finished we're hoping to expand the pride here in Western Australia and we're hopeful that we'll get some young male lions from another zoo either from across the country or from around the world," he told reporters.

Shinyanga, who was born in NSW and came to WA in 2012, celebrated her 18th birthday in August with balloons and decorations smeared with meat.

She is the only lioness currently at the zoo following the deaths of lion brothers Nelson and Mandela last year.