Monarto Safari Park in Australia has some pawsome news! Five African lion cubs have been born to African Lioness Husani. 🦁🦁🦁🦁🦁

The cubs arrived late on Monday night into Tuesday morning with Husani inside the birthing den at Monarto Safari Park.

A 'den cam' captured the moment of each arrival with the firstborn getting a ride on mum's tail!

It will be a while before the cubs are out and about in exhibit as for now they are left to bond with mum and fill their tums with milk. 🍼

Keeping staff, everyone at Zoos SA and YOU will be over the moon - Husani and her fab five will, in the not too distant future, enjoy roaming in hectares of plains – safe and sound with the rest of the pride. However, lions in their native Africa face a very different future with their population decreasing due to indiscriminate killing, habitat loss, and trophy hunting.

It is therefore imperative that breeding programs like the one at Monarto Safari Park exist – they are pivotal to securing the future of this beautiful species.

Zoo Knoxville is celebrating the birth of two endangered African lion cubs, who were delivered by emergency Cesarean section surgery on Tuesday, Dec. 21. The cubs, one male and one female, are the first offspring of father Upepo and mother Amara and the first lion cubs born in Knoxville since 2006.

The survival of both cubs and their mother is due to the quick action of her care team at Zoo Knoxville. Amara was expected to give birth in mid to late December, and she was being closely monitored. When she began showing signs of labor but delivery was not progressing, Amara was put under anesthesia and transported to the zoo’s animal clinic so an ultrasound could be performed. It revealed that a cub was lodged in the birth canal in a breech position, endangering Amara and the other cubs. The care team, which included veterinarians from UTCVM-University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, made the decision to perform emergency surgery. Four cubs were delivered, but two did not survive. The quick intervention saved two of the cubs, who are healthy, vocal, and being cared for around the clock by zoo staff with expertise in natal care.

Yesterday morning Ms. Karin Welge, Lord Mayor of Gelsenkirchen, revealed the secret of the sexes of ZOOM Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen three lion cubs: There are three females!

The names of the three little lionesses were also announced by Mrs. Welge: Jamila, Kumani and Malaika. All names come from the continent of Africa and were selected by our animal keepers to match the three young animals:

Jamila means "the beautiful one". After birth, she had a strikingly white fur that gradually darkens.

Malaika means “angel” or “good spirit” because the lioness is very relaxed and calm with the animal keepers.

It has just been over 100 days since Taronga Zoo staff welcomed Khari, Luzuko, Zuri, Ayanna and Malika into the Taronga family and over the past couple of months the cubs have met some incredible milestones. This includes learning how to play with one another as well as climbing! They are also now consuming a more meat-based diet, however they do enjoy a regular suckle or two from their mum, Maya – particularly little Malika!

Since birth, all five cubs have gone from strength to strength. The two boys, Khari and Luzuko are now weighing in between 13.5kg and 17kg and the three girls, Zuri, Ayanna and Malika are weighing in between 13.4kg-13.7kg. At birth, all five cubs were weighing in between 2.4kg and 2.9kg.

Over the next couple of weeks, the cubs will continue to grow in confidence and begin to vocalize. 

Baby rhino Aziza, born 9/22/21 (World Rhino Day!) at West Palm Beach, FL's Lion Country Safari, learns about mud baths from her mom. Watch her work on perfecting her technique and wait for the flop!

Taronga Zoo Sydney is brimming with pride to announce the public debut of five beautiful Lion cubs at its iconic African Savannah. The cubs, who are now 12 weeks old, have well and truly found their paws and are ready for a summer of fun as they grow in confidence.

The five cubs were born to experienced mum Maya and first-time dad Ato in August and are now weighing in between 11-13kg each. The youngsters have now been named, with the public coming onboard to name one male cub Khari meaning ‘like a king’ in Swahili while the other was named Luzuko, meaning ‘glory’ which is of South African origin and was picked by Taronga’s carnivore keepers.

The Swahili names of Malika, Zuri and Ayanna were selected for the three female cubs and were chosen by generous Zoo supporters. Malika means ‘like a queen’, Zuri means ‘beautiful’ and Ayanna means ‘beautiful flower’. All three names were chosen in recognition of the African Lion’s native homeland.

Carnivore Unit Supervisor Louise Ginman said like all youngsters, the cubs are growing at a rapid rate: “It’s been such an honour to watch these five precious Lion cubs as they develop their own unique personalities. It has been over 18 years since we’ve heard the pitter-patter of Lion cub paws at Taronga Zoo and it the first time ever we have had a full pride in the new African Savannah,” said Ginman.

“The cubs have changed so much over the course of their little lives. Our guests are going to be in for a real treat every time they come to visit and see the cubs – with so many milestones on the horizon, no two visits will be the same,” said Ginman.

Just like any newborns, the cubs have bursts of activity followed by napping, cuddling up with one another, and staying close to mum until they find their confidence. For this reason, mum and cubs will only have access to this exhibit for certain periods of the day, which may differ daily to allow for rest and family bonding.

In preparation for their move into the main exhibit, the cubs have been spending more time in their holding yard, where they have learnt important Lion behaviours like climbing and foraging, which the public has been able to watch from afar via Taronga TV’s cub cam.   

Taronga CEO Cam Kerr AO said: “Cub Cam was such an incredible initiative and gave our community a sneak peek into the lives of the cubs from the very beginning and importantly, an opportunity to support lions in the wild.

“Now that Sydney has reopened, we’re so excited to welcome back our guests and Zoo Friends to meet these new arrivals and to connect with wildlife. As Sydney’s only not-for-profit zoo, every time you visit, you support us to deliver vital conservation work both here in Australia and around the globe,” said Kerr.  

With a brand-new pride taking their place, it’s the perfect time to sign up for an all-new Zoo Friends Family Flex membership. With 365 days of unlimited Zoo entry, Zoo Friends will be able to keep up the cubs all year long as they grow, play, tumble, find their paws and even learn to climb. Just like the cubs who keep their mum and dad in check, the all-new Zoo Friends Family Flex membership means the kids are in charge.

The Zoo Friends Family Flex membership allows any nominated adult to accompany the kids on their adventures, which means whether it's mum, dad, grandparents, aunts or uncles, everyone gets a chance to explore!

Taronga Zoo proudly accepts Dine and Discover NSW vouchers, which can be used for a discount of $25 on day tickets and Zoo Friends memberships.

Zoo Friends Annual Membership starts at $99 for individuals, or $130 for the all-new Family Flex that permits entry for 1 adult and kids under 16 from their household. For more information or to register please visit www.taronga.org.au/zoo-friends

Meet the three Lion cubs born at Germany’s ZOOM Erlebniswelt on October 8th. The cubs are now 3.5 weeks old. The first sequence was recorded on their birth day. The umbilical cord of the young animal in the front of the picture can even be seen.

Over the past week they have slowly started to explore their surroundings. Although their eyes were open from birth, their eyesight is only now beginning to develop. In small steps they expand their radius and move a little more every day. According to vet Judith Wabnitz, everything is going perfectly overall. The offspring are developing splendidly, and Fiona is a great mother.

The zookeepers can already tell the three apart. They are all different in appearance - one is rather light, the other sand-colored and the third has a cream-colored fur.

The lion mother Fiona is very calm and relaxed with her cubs. Since she is suckling the three, and her diet has been adjusted accordingly. Sister Lissy is always by her side, who accompanies the rearing in a relaxed manner. A few days after giving birth, the lionesses left the den to go outside, leaving the cubs to sleep.

It will be a while before the triplets can also be seen by visitors.

Two Asiatic Lion Cubs were born on September 21, 2021 at ZOO Planckendael in Belgium.

The cubs, like all animals born in 2021 at ZOO Planckendael, will receive names beginning with the letter “W”.

People can vote on the zoo’s social media in a few weeks when they determine the cubs’ sexes.

The cubs were born to second-time mom Lorena and father Jari.

Lioness Kolya is the pair’s grandmother.

Both cubs are very well and are enjoying nursing from their mom and both are very active!

The Asiatic lion is an endangered lion population surviving today only in India. Since the turn of the 20th century, its range is restricted to Gir National Park and the surrounding areas in the Indian state of Gujarat.

Historically, it inhabited much of the Middle East to northern India.

Taronga Zoo Sydney is delighted to share a very cute cub-date and a first close-up glimpse of the faces of five adorable lion cubs.

The five cubs – three females and two males - were born to experienced mum Maya and first-time dad Ato last month, and are now six weeks of age.

The cubs are continuing to grow and develop and this week took their first steps into their holding yard, with their paws touching grass for the very first time.

The cubs were also given their weekly weigh in and are now between 5.5kg and 6.5kg, which keepers say is testament to mum Maya who is taking expert care of the large litter.

While the cubs are still small, the public are able to catch a keepers-eye glimpse of the growing pride via Taronga TV’s Cub Cam.

For small tax-deductible donation of just $7, the public can access a 24/7 live stream of the five precious cubs – all whilst supporting Taronga’s vital conservation work around the globe!  www.taronga.org.au/cubcam

As the cubs approach eight weeks of age, the keepers are also calling on the public to help name one! Head to the website to cast a vote and for a chance to win one of 20 family passes.

Taronga’s lions are important ambassadors for their species, helping to raise vital funds and awareness to help their wild counterparts

To access Taronga TV’s cub cam head to www.taronga.org.au/cubcam. As Sydney’s only not-for-profit zoo Taronga is delighted to continue fostering connections between both wildlife and people. 

Taronga Zoo Sydney is proud to announce the birth of five African Lion Cubs – the first lion cubs to be born at Taronga Zoo Sydney in 18 years. The five cubs who arrived in mid-August, are now five weeks old, and growing every day. 

In a first for Taronga, the public will be able to meet the new pride and support Taronga’s important conservation work with a brand-new cub cam, which is launching just in time for the spring school holidays. The Taronga TV cub cam is available for a limited time only for a tax-deductible donation of $7, allowing the public to watch the youngsters grow, all while supporting their cousins in the wild. 

The five cubs – three females and two males - were born to experienced mum Maya and first-time dad Ato on Thursday 12 August, which in a sweet turn of events also happened to coincide with Ato’s fourth birthday.

Carnivore Unit Supervisor Louise Ginman said the new pride are in good health and going from strength to strength. “Maya is a very attentive, nurturing and relaxed mother. Her labour went off without a hitch and we couldn’t be happier with the maternal behaviours that we are observing”.

“Now weighing between 5-6kg compared to approximately 1.5 kg at birth, each cub is growing and developing beautifully with mum Maya ensuring each cub is suckling and feeding well,” said Louise. 

Since their birth, the keepers have been closely monitoring the cubs via CCTV cameras in their specialised maternity den, and from today, the public will be able to join them via Taronga TV’s brand-new cub cam.

“In a first for Taronga, we are giving our community access to meet these five precious cubs and bringing them along on the journey from the very beginning. From when they start finding their feet, to when their paws touch grass for the first time – our community will be right there with us” said Cameron Kerr, CEO, Taronga Conservation Society Australia. 

“As a not-for-profit zoo, one the best ways the public can support our two Zoos and our critical conservation work is by tuning in to Taronga TV’s brand-new cub cam. With a donation of just $7 you are supporting our work at Taronga’s two zoos and our on-the-ground work in Northern Kenya -one of six native homelands of the African Lion” said Kerr.

African Lions are currently classified as vulnerable in the wild, with their population continuing to decrease due to human-animal conflict, habitat loss, illegal wildlife trade and poaching. 

“Taronga’s pride of lions are such amazing ambassadors for their wild counterparts as they help to raise awareness for their species and bring to the forefront the threats facing them in the wild,” says Carnivore Unit Supervisor Louise Ginman.

“Maya has been an invaluable contributor to the regional breeding program of the African Lion, and with less than 20,000 African Lions remaining in the wild, every cub really does count” said Louise.  

At the moment, the cubs are finding their feet behind the scenes in their nursery den, but soon enough they will be meeting milestones like their first health check, meeting their father Ato and eventually making their public debut later this year.

“We cannot wait to hear the pitter-patter of paws as the cubs start investigating and finding their way around their brand-new home at Taronga’s African Savannah Precinct, but that is still a little while off! Fingers and toes crossed our Zoo community will be able to witness this moment as well!” said Louise.

Despite both Taronga’s two Zoos being closed, the critical conservation work never stops and for a small tax-deductible donation of just $7 the public can now access Taronga TV’s brand-new cub cam and continue to support Taronga's vital conservation work and help save Lions in the wild.

To access Taronga TV’s cub cam head to www.taronga.org.au/cubcam. As Sydney’s only not-for-profit zoo Taronga is delighted to continue fostering connections between both wildlife and people.