Baby Boom at Lion Camp!!
Posted at 10:39 am November 12, 2007 by Marcia ReddingHere's the news all you lion fans have been waiting for! On Friday, November 2, Oshana went into labor. We were pretty sure she would have a large litter: she became much bigger with this pregnancy than her previous one, when she gave birth to Abena and Bakari. Over a period of several hours, she delivered a grand total of four cubs, all of who look beautiful and healthy. Understandably, she was very tired afterwards, but cleaned up all the babies like a pro. Soon they were lined up nursing; lions have four teats, just the right number for the new family. As of now, we are observing the family through cameras only, to avoid disturbing them. Although the images are pretty clear, it's still too soon to identify the sex of the cubs. They are 10 days old, yet the cubs already look bigger and more filled out than on their birthday. When they nurse, you can actually see their bellies expand!
Now, even more great news! On Tuesday, November 6, Mina also went into labor! By late afternoon, she had delivered three beautiful cubs! What a week it's been! Mina always has been more relaxed than Oshana in regards to her cubs; while we also have a camera on her, she doesn't mind if we look into the den and take a quick peep at the new arrivals. Her babies also look very healthy and are very active, already cruising around the den even though their eyes are still closed! We may have some very precocious little ones here.
We have arranged the maternity dens in a way that allows both adult females to see each other, and to see each other's cubs as well, if the babies are in the large rooms adjoining the dens. The dens themselves are private, allowing no contact with the others. Mina has already carried one of her cubs out into the room and Oshana got a good look. Both moms appeared to be completely okay with this.
Dad Izu has been taking turns on exhibit with Kamau and Zenda, Mina's boys from her last litter. Izu seems to be aware that there are new cubs; fairly soon, we will allow him visual access to his new babies. Our hope is to have Izu, Mina, Oshana, and all seven cubs together at some point. We will take our lead from the moms…it will all depend on their comfort level.
It will probably be at least eight weeks until the cubs are old enough to be on exhibit. Until then, I will make sure to keep everyone updated on their progress.
Izu had better rest up - his future looks as if it's going to be very busy, with seven cubs to help raise! Welcome to the Lion Camp pride at the Wild Animal Park, little ones!
Marcia Redding is a senior keeper at the Wild Animal Park.
See Marcia's previous lion blog, Our Lion Girls' New Home.
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November 12th, 2007 at 10:55 am
What wonderful news! Thank you Marcia for keeping us updated…
Can't wait to see pics/videos of the new little ones!!
November 12th, 2007 at 11:26 am
Marcia, congratulations, what a busy four days you all have had. I am glad that all the babies seem to be healthy and are getting well fed. It's going to be busy and exciting to watch 7 little ones grow and run all over the place. I can't wait to see the family photos. Welcome little ones good health
November 12th, 2007 at 11:34 am
wow that is amazing. What a week can't wait to see pics of them. Any plans for a lion cam like they have for the elephants?
November 12th, 2007 at 12:03 pm
Hi Marcia,
Congratulations Oshana and Mina & everyone at the Lion Camp; Baby Boom indeed!
We were at the park last Sunday on Nov. 4th, when one of the Tram personnel told us the great news about Oshana delivering four cubs. Wonderful news too about Mina's little trio :).
The Lion Camp exhibit (one of my favorites) will soon be bustling with little cubs - lots of fun. Can't wait to see them all.
Thanks for all your hard work in caring for these lion treasures.
November 12th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
Thanks for the fabulous news we have been waiting to hear Marcia! Izu sure was busy making babies this year, while helping to rear the others. Sounds like a very exciting time is ahead just after the holidays. Won't be a dull Winter, that's for sure!
Helps to heal the sadness of the girls, Gram, and Mei Sheng moving on to new lives.
Look forward to updates. Too bad there is no way to see the babies on the cams online.
November 12th, 2007 at 12:27 pm
What a great way to start a Monday morning!! Congratulations - what a wonderful, wonderful accomplishment - so very exciting - and yes, it helps take away some of the sadness with Mei and Grams departure. Life really does go on…
November 12th, 2007 at 1:03 pm
Exciting ….. I did not know Izu got busy again with the ladies !! =) Good for them all !!
My question, same as when the first set of both cubs were born, since there is a cam set up in both girls dens, is there going to be a chance that we (the public) would be able to view the new families on say " Lion Cam" .
Is the SDWAP, ever going to consider this ?? The nature shows on PBS can only show so much …. as they cant get as close as say the SDWAP !! =)
November 12th, 2007 at 2:09 pm
What happy news! Looking forward to seeing the " septet"
I am hoping to visit the zoo in the spring & see them and " Bai-bee" too!
Moderator's note: We look forward to your visit, Mary. Please remember that the lion cubs are at the Wild Animal Park, located 35 miles north of the Zoo.
November 12th, 2007 at 2:41 pm
That is too awesome…. My birthday is Nov 2, lions are my favorite animal, and Oshana is my favorite lion! 4 cubs on my birthday, what a wonderful present. And 3 more after that. Can't wait to see pictures of the new families!
Moderator's note: Happy birthday, Jennifer!!
November 12th, 2007 at 3:05 pm
If live cams are not possible, how about recorded videos from your cams?
November 12th, 2007 at 4:54 pm
Congratulations! This is really exciting. My camera and I anxiously await the Lion Camp public premiere in a few months. And gee, coming up with seven names–I am also looking forward to learning how many blue and/or pink booties you'll be knitting!
November 12th, 2007 at 5:15 pm
I am still just so tickled - and can't wait to visit the new pride - it's going to be a beautiful sight - Izu sure makes some adorable babies - and I'm sure these will be no exception! And to think that just a few weeks ago - the WAP was in danger of being destroyed… thank you, thank you again for saving this wonderful place!
November 12th, 2007 at 7:10 pm
Welcome little cubs to Lion Camp! What news 7 cubs, I can't wait to see them on exhibit, just like the first litters. Thank you for the update and keep up the good work, I know you are all going to be busy cub watching for a while again. It seems just like yesterday they had their first litters and here we go again, it is great news. Congratulations to Izu, Oshana and Mina and all of the staff at Lion Camp.
November 12th, 2007 at 8:59 pm
OMG I am sooooooooooo exicted. Thanx for ze update!!!!!!! Can't wait to see pictures and a web cam????????????????????? Update us weekly please!!!
November 12th, 2007 at 9:26 pm
WOW!!! Baby boom is an understatement!! Two litters of lion cubs in 4 days! Boy, will you guys be very busy in the months to come! Wish you all had lioncams in there so that we all can see them for ourselves. I'm like the rest of the people that have written in about this—I'm waiting for pics and videos, too! And, lots of them!! Congrats to Oshana and Mina, the moms, and Izu, the dad! This is the best news that WAP can have after going thru a very rough October fighting the fires. Any more babies due to be born? I know there's one momma to be elephant that's due to give birth to her baby in December (Christmas baby??). Keep giving us updates on the seven cubs, whether they are all boys, all girls, or a mix of boys and girls, and the progress they are making. My guess is that they all should start opening up their eyes sometime in the next week or two. Then, the fun will start when they see their new surroundings, get their legs and feet going, and start exploring. FUN!!!
Chari Mercier
St. Pete, FL
Moderator's note: It would be great to have Lion Cam, but that is not possible at this time. We will provide images and video of the lion cubs in all their cuteness when those become available.
November 13th, 2007 at 10:20 am
Congratulations to everyone…what great news. Thanks for sharing this special time with us.
November 13th, 2007 at 11:25 am
CONGRATULATIONS to Oshana and Mina and Izu!! And congratulations and thank you to all of you who have made this possible through your dedicated and loving care! We miss Abena and Bakari, but knowing how much they are going to be loved in their new home and the importance of their bloodline being carried on through their very handsome mate to be solidifies the purpose and meaning of the goals of the WAP and ZOO. And through that purpose we have had the joy of participating as observers watching them grow from adorable cubs to beautiful lionesses. They are sure to be good mothers as Oshana is such an excellent mother. I know that there will come a day we will have to say good bye to the boys as well, but we will enjoy them for as long as we have with them as we did with the girls.
And now–WOW!! Welcome to the world! Seven wonderful new babies to watch play and grow! Blessed Be All Of Thee and Oshana and Mina and Izu and all of your human friends! With Love, Judy J
November 14th, 2007 at 10:12 am
Congratulations!!! Seven babies!! I wish I could see them.?? Is there anyway that you can post some pictures of them at this tender age?
November 15th, 2007 at 11:32 am
How exciting! Cant wait to see them! My boyfriend and I went to see Abena and Bakari when they were tiny cubs and have seen them all grown up now… Cant wait to visit again and see the new additions to the pride
November 17th, 2007 at 2:34 pm
7 cubs is great! Congratulations to the new mommas and to the proud papa. Unfortunately, it looks like they won't be available in time for my visit in 4 weeks, but I'll be sure to make it out in the Spring. They'll likely still be great little balls of energy. I can't wait.
November 27th, 2007 at 4:59 am
Congratulations, seven cubs. keppers must be well chuffed!!! plaese will you send me pictures if its possible. i would love to them. bit hard for me to see them up close because i live in the UK. once again, CONGRATS!!!
November 27th, 2007 at 3:23 pm
Congratulations to the San Diego Zoo on the healthy birth of the four lion cubs. Your web site is quite amazing and look forward to recieving my lastest news. I am from Perth, Western Australia in Australia. Any news & information on conservation,healthy & successful breeding programs(especially of endangered animals) always are of great importance & interest. Wishing you strong and continued succcess. Smiles Olga x