You’ve met the Woodland Park Zoo’s quartet of Lion cubs
several times on ZooBorns since they were born on November 19. Since then, the two male and two female cubs
have been safely tucked in their den with mom Adia. But this week they ventured into their outdoor
yard for the first time, practicing for their public debut.
Photo Credits: Ryan Hawk/Wodland Park Zoo
Adia was the first to step outside, with two of the cubs
emerging alongside her. Then Adia ducked
back inside as if calling the other two cubs.
Soon all four were outdoors, taking in the sights, sounds, and smells of
this new world. The cubs stuck together
and stayed close to mom, though they were curious about the zoo staff members
who had gathered to watch through the viewing window.
Keepers had filled the yard with mossy logs, muddy pits, and
sticks for the cubs to play with, but their favorite toy was mom. They constantly pounced on her, grabbed her
neck, or slipped under her feet. New
distractions, like planes flying overhead and cawing birds got the cubs’
attention as well.
After two hours of outdoor play, the cubs were tuckered out
and the family headed inside to rest. But
you can be sure the cubs will be ready for action when they meet the public for
the first time very soon.
On November 9, 2011, two healthy male Asiatic Lion cubs named Kamran and Ketan were born to mom Shiva at Bristol Zoo Gardens. Now at nine and a half weeks, both cubs are doing well and beginning to reveal their individual personalities. They’re spending more time outside in an off-show enclosure, though guests can now view them at play on a monitor outside the exhibit.
But they have a story. Unfortunately, only 12 days after they were born, their
eight-year-old father Kamal was put to sleep due to severely deteriorating
health. Following his death, Shiva began to have difficulties mothering, which forced staff to make the rare
decision to intervene and remove the two-week-old cubs for hand-rearing.
Asiatic Lions are classified as Critically Endangered and are part of an internationally coordinated conservation breeding program managed by Twycross Zoo. There are currently only a few hundred Asiatic Lions left in the wild, so every step had to be taken to ensure these cubs survive and thrive. Hand-rearing is a very demanding and challenging process, and
is considered a last resort. But just as their father played a role in the conservation breeding program, both cubs are to play a role in the future of the breeding program.
"The initial transition was a very important time for
the cubs,’ says Lynsey Bugg, Assistant Curator of Mammals. "We placed
straw from their previous enclosure on the ground for familiarity, and gave
each cub a cuddly toy to snuggle with to mimic mum. We also worked closely with
the Vet Team to monitor their fluid intake while we got both cubs used to
feeding from artificial teats."
A team of five keepers are dedicated to care for the
cubs, who were initially fed five times over a 24 hour period. While the cubs got used to the new feeding regimine, keepers could spend up
to two hours doing each feed. Both cubs have their weight, temperature and
respiratory rate checked daily, and keepers monitor their activity level to ensure
they’re progressing well.
"Alongside the challenge of feeding when hand-rearing, we need to
prevent the cubs from imprinting on the keepers, so we make sure we treat them
the way that their mum would when we handle them," continues Lynsey. This involves picking
them up by the scruff of the neck and brushing them with a coarse brush -- which
replicates them being licked by their mother’s coarse tongue -- all to ensure
they go on to be a fully functioning social animal.
"I’m very proud of my team," says Lynsey. "However, I’ll deem the hand-rearing a success when our two young males are fully weaned and then go on to breed themselves. After all, protecting this incredible species is what we’re all working toward."
Photo Credit: Bristol Zoo
Watch this video of the two nursing and being quite curious about the camera!
Last time you read about these eight Lion cubs here on ZooBorns, they were taking their first stroll with their mothers out in the habitat at Longleat Safari and Adventure Park. This time, they got out to play in inches of fluffy white snow. All four male and four female cubs were born back in August -- and between the two forays into the elements, it can be seen how much they've grown.
This group is so big because they are actually two different families, with 2 of each gender born to different first-time mothers Nikata and Louisa. All are fathered by Hugo, the zoo's majestic male. The cubs practiced plenty of climbing, crouching and pouncing on each other... and their parents.
Keeper Bob Trollope said, “Nikata and Louisa don’t seem to have any problem joining in the rough and tumble games with their cubs. However, they are extremely protective and are nowhere near as accommodating with us!”
Nestor’s mother Maouli is always nearby to guide the brave
little Lion in his explorations, but he seems determined to learn on his
own. But even courageous cubs need to
check in frequently with mom just to be on the safe side.
Now five months old, Nestor is the only male lion remaining
at Zoo Antwerpen. Nestor’s father,
Victor, died recently from age-related conditions. Victor was nearly 19 years old and seemed to
enjoy the affections of his young offspring.
Like Victor, Nestor will one day be an
important part of the conservation breeding program for African Lions, which are in
decline in their native African home.
You met the five African Lion cubs born at Omaha’s Henry Doorly
Zoo a few weeks ago on ZooBorns. Take a
look at these new photos and you’ll see that they’re growing fast!
Born to first-time mother Mfisha and father Mr. Big on
December 29, the five cubs are thriving.
The litter includes two males and three females.
Photo Credit: Henry
Doorly Zoo
This breeding was recommended by the Association of Zoos
& Aquariums (AZA) Species Survival Plan (SSP) as part of an effort to breed
Lions of appropriate genetic backgrounds.
The population of African Lions has fallen dramatically over
the last few decades. Some experts
estimate there are half as many wild African Lions as there were two decades
ago, and most are confined to national parks and protected areas. Zoo breeding is one of many efforts
underway to protect these majestic cats from extinction.
Seattle's Woodland
Park Zoo Lion cub quadruplets just turned two months old and that meant it was time for a vet check. Each cub was carried to the exam table by keepers, held just like their mother
would, as that comforting position relaxes them.
Now weighing
in at 21 to 23 pounds (9.5 to 10.4 kg) each, the wriggly babies are getting harder to
handle, so each were anesthetized for a part of this latest checkup. One cub gave a healthy hiss to the immobilizer
mask!
Each of the
cubs has most of their baby teeth, which means they are starting to
sample solid foods like ground turkey and raw beef. Vets noticed that their little tummies felt less full than they did at their last exam, which is likely
because now that they eat some solid foods, they aren’t filling themselves up
on mom’s milk as much as they used to.
Each were measured from head to tail to track their growth. All are on target, a
positive sign that the zoo can start planning for their debut
when outdoor temperatures reach a minimum of 50
degrees. Until then, they’ll continue to live in an off-view maternity den
where they can bond and develop in a more controlled environment.
Photo Credit: Photo 2,3,4,5,6: Kirsten Pisto/Woodland Park Zoo, Photo 1, 7,8: Ryan Hawk
After the
exam, the cubs were soothed by keepers as each woke up. They were then returned
to their mom Adia.
See a video of these babies in action, find more pictures of the cubs and read about the species and conservation efforts to save them after the fold.
Moxy, The Honolulu Zoo’s female lioness, gave birth to three lively cubs on Saturday evening, December 15. Mammal Specialist Robert Porec said, "The birth went smoothly. The lioness and her cubs will remain in their birthing quarters for the near future."
Although Moxy is proving to be a very good mom, the family is being closely monitored by the zoo's veterinary staff -- and the babies are thriving. Last week, keepers were able to separate Moxy from her cubs so they could clean the pen, weigh the cubs and determine their sex -- a process which mom accepted calmly.
The cubs’ weights were 7.36 lbs. (3.34 kg) for the first born, a female, 8.11 lbs. (3.68 kg) for the male, and 6.92 lbs. (3.14 kg) for the third born, another female. They will receive their first set of vaccinations at 4 weeks of age, then again at 6 and 12 weeks. After completing their inoculations and upon the approval of Dr Ben Okimoto, Zoo Veterinarian, they will be introduced to their exhibit (estimated to be in Mid-March).
Photo Credits: Claire Fukumoto / Honolulu Zoo
These are Transvaal Lions (Panthera leo krugeri), also known as the Southeast Lion, a subspecies named after the Transvaal region in South Africa where they can be found. Ekundu, the father, was born at the San Diego Safari Park in California, and Moxy was born at the Bronx Zoo in New York. The parents are at the Honolulu Zoo on a breeding loan.
Here is a video of the cubs nursing, taken on January 9, from the Zoo's closed circuit camera behind the scenes.
Being a Lion cub is hard work, as these images of the latest additions to Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo show. Five Lion cubs, two males and three females, were born on December 29, 2012 to first-time mother Mfisha and father Mr. Big.
Photo Credit: Henry Doorly Zoo
Four of the cubs are on display with their mother and aunt, but one of the female cubs is currently in the zoo's hospital receiving round the clock care. She was smaller than the other cubs and didn’t compete well for food, so at 24 hours old Animal Care Staff gave her fluids to keep her hydrated. At 48 hours old the decision was made to remove the cub to the hospital for hand-rearing. When the cub’s health is stable and she is gaining weight, she will be introduced to her mother and siblings while keepers will provide her with extra feedings throughout the day when the mother is briefly shifted to a nearby enclosure.
This breeding is part of an SSP (Species Survival Plan) recommendation. The subspecies, krugeri, is the focus of AZA’s (Association of Zoos and Aquariums) Felid Taxon Advisory Group to concentrate zoo efforts nationwide to breed Lions of known lineage. There have been eleven African Lion births in the last twelve months at AZA accredited zoos in North America. The count does not inlcude these cubs.
African Lions are listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources). Over the last 20 years the lion population has estimated to have declined from 30% to 50%. African Lions live in sub-Sahara Africa with the majority in eastern and southern Africa. The last Lion birth at the zoo was in 1994.
A spot of rain did nothing to dampen the spirits of eight Lion cubs at Longleat Safari & Adventure Park as they ventured outside for the very first time this week. The eight cubs, four males and four females, were born back in August, but hadn’t joined the rest of the pride until now.
They certainly made up for lost time. Even the pouring rain didn’t seem to be a problem for the youngsters, who played and explored their new surroundings under the watchful gaze of moms Nikata and Louisa. Both the first-time mothers have impressed keepers with their attentive behavior.
Within minutes of being released, the cubs were covered in mud and leaves and were taking turns trying to balance their way along a slippery fallen tree trunk. Several of the braver individuals practiced their ambush skills on Mom, although they were rather more cautious when dad Hugo came over to say hello.
Keeper Bob Trollope said, “Both mums have four cubs with two of each sex. Hugo is also a first time father, but he's considerably less interested in the youngsters and soon went back to what male lions do best – sleeping!”
Longleat is famed for its Lions, which are kept in two separate prides. However this is the first time the ‘woodland’ pride has had cubs. At birth the cubs weighed just 2.2 pounds (1 kgm), but they now tip the scales at almost 18 pounds (8 kgs)! Males usually reach their full size by the age of two, while females will be about three years old before they’re fully grown. Adults can weigh up to 440 pounds (200 kgs).
Three African Lion cubs were born at Southwick's Zoo on October 23. Mom Savannah gave birth to two males and one female. One of the males is under the care of another zoological facility while the other male and the female remained at Southwick's. Their father is Leroy.
The gestation period for a Lion is approximately 110 days. Young cubs are vulnerable to predation by hyenas, leopards and black-backed jackals. The cubs begin hunting at 11 months, but remain with their mother for at least two years. But because Savannah is a young, first-time mother, she didn't quite realize she had babies, so Zoo staff had to step in and help to raise them.
The cubs began to grow very fast....which can easily be judged by looking at the size of their paws - and those nails!
The female has become very adventurous and one day shimmied up a tree. Once she got up, she wasn't quite sure what to do from there. But she managed to figure out how to get down... which is all part of growing up!
Zoo Staff described the little male as "a typical, lazy male Lion," not as quite adventurous as his sister... but if you give him a ball or something to chase, he will "attack" ...then go back to taking a nap! One day he was given a big blue ball outside to play. Good thing it was hard plastic because he kept trying to dig his claws into it!
Photo Credits: Southwick's Zoo and Photo 1, Laura Vear
"ZooBorns pulls off the difficult task of being cute and interesting for people of all ages while also being informative. Many books seek this lofty goal but most fail." - Seattle Post Intelligencer
