Lion Cubs Form New Pride
Posted at 7:58 am July 19, 2007 by Marcia ReddingIt’s high time for a “pride progress report” from Lion Camp. There have been some important changes in the last few months, beginning with Oshana and Izu’s cubs, Abena and Bakari. The girls celebrated their first birthday on May 17 and are becoming very independent young ladies. They have grown quite a bit, too: as of July 7, Abena weighed 88.4 kilograms (194.5 pounds), and Bakari weighed in at 74.8 kilograms (164.5 pounds).
Bakari’s personality is very similar Oshana’s - a bit suspicious of new things in her environment. The Maasai who are visiting the Wild Animal Park for the summer as a cultural exchange demonstrate some of their dances on the hill next to Lion Camp. They are truly awe-inspiring to watch; the dances involve lots of athletic jumping, and the robes they wear are beautiful and colorful. All the lions were taken aback when first witnessing this unique event, but Oshana was especially leery, as was Bakari. We asked the Maasai to visit the lions at the big glass viewing window so the pride could see that they were just people, not some strange beings that could jump really high. Oshana and Bakari were the slowest to come around, but eventually became comfortable with our African visitors. Abena, on the other hand, takes after dad Izu - after a few dance sessions, they expressed only mild interest, or ignored the event completely.
Mina and Izu’s boys, Kamau and Zenda, celebrated their first birthday on July 19. Kamau is the heavyweight of all the cubs: he now weighs 93.2 kilograms (205 pounds)! He outweighs both of his older sisters. Zenda comes in at a healthy 79 Kilograms (174 pounds). Kamau has continued to be very easygoing and laid back; brother Zenda is a little more excitable at times. Both boys adjusted very well to the new activity taking place right outside their window.
All four cubs have been successfully introduced to each other, and last week they spent the day together in the exhibit for the first time. Their play sessions are extremely vigorous, and afterward they all collapse for long naps. They have now been weaned from their mothers and have formed their own “mini pride.” All three adults are now back together; sisters Oshana and Mina are very happy with this arangement and have been quite playful. Izu is also content, probably happy to have some peace after helping to raise all his offspring.
As of now, there are no plans for relocating the cubs to other zoos. Eventually this will happen, but for now all the lions are happy with the status quo. Come see them, and enjoy visiting our Maasai guests as well! The Wild Animal Park is a great place to be this summer!
Marcia Redding is a senior keeper at the Wild Animal Park.
Here’s more information about the visiting Maasai.
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July 19th, 2007 at 8:42 am
Can we get a picture of the cubs, to see how BIG they are now?
Moderator’s note: We’re working on it
July 19th, 2007 at 10:11 am
At what age does a male lion have a full mane? I was reading a zoo keepers log once about the introduction of their female lion to their new male lion and she stated the female’s attitude would probably change once the male’s mane came in. He was a young lion and did not have his mane yet, but she did not elaborate on this. Have you heard of this?
July 19th, 2007 at 2:16 pm
Thanks for the update, Marcia. It is hard to believe all 4 cubs are over a year old already. I was wondering when they would be introduced to each other. Were their mothers present when they were introduced, or were they weaned then introduced? I am curious as to what reaction the mothers would have to each other’s cubs. Izu was exposed to all 4 of them so the mother’s knew he had been around each set of cubs. Since Oshana and Mina are good companions, didn’t realize until now that they are sisters, they might not have had any challenges with the other being around their cubs.
Keep us posted as the cubs mature into adult lions. I have read that tigers stay with their mothers until about 18 months of age. Since the lion cubs are 12-14 months and already weaned, does that mean that lions don’t stay with mom as long?
Happy Zoo Keeper Week to all the lion keepers at SDZ and WAP.
July 19th, 2007 at 4:14 pm
Beth, it is true that the bigger and fuller mane a male has, the more attractive he is to females. It used to be thought that the mane’s purpose was to protect the male’s neck during conflicts, but research has shown that it exists mainly to impress the girls. Our male Izu has a very luxurious mane - he has no problem impressing our lionesses, although it’s true that he has no competition
.
July 19th, 2007 at 4:24 pm
Sorry Beth, I forgot to answer your first question. Our males’ manes at age 4 are very full, but they will continue to darken until they are entirely black. The South African subspecies have black, full manes. They began to thicken at around two years of age. Kamau & Zenda have the beginnings of their manes already, but at their tender age they just have some wispy hairs framing their face. Not very impressive yet!
July 19th, 2007 at 5:22 pm
Thank you for the update on our sweet babies…so glad they’re growing up healthy and happy! I always smile when I hear about good ol’ daddy Izu. He just seems to take everything in stride - and loves his cubs and their mommies!
July 19th, 2007 at 6:32 pm
Ohhhh yes, pictures of the kids would be great !!! Would love to see how they’ve grown !!!
July 19th, 2007 at 9:08 pm
Thanks for the update on the lion cubs! I really appreciate the information on how they are developing and adjusting within the pride. I can’t wait to see the pictures!
July 20th, 2007 at 8:08 am
So the Parents and Cubs aren’t together anymore
Also, is the other female lion pregnant!!!
July 20th, 2007 at 8:40 pm
Hello,
Thanks for the update. Are the adults and youngsters alternating days in the exhibits? I haven’t been in a while, so it’s wonderful to hear the cubs were able to adjust to one another. Izu is truly a beautiful lion, full of grace and pride. We also love the females and all the cubs — It’s been a wonderful year. Once some are re-located, does that mean more cubs from Izu?
July 22nd, 2007 at 7:15 am
I am really hoping Etosha gets preagnant
July 23rd, 2007 at 2:50 pm
I agree with Calvin
July 29th, 2007 at 8:38 pm
Deb, the cubs do indeed alternate days on exhibit with the “grown ups”. They have a good time wherever they are - today they were inside, ripping up phone books - one of their favorite enrichment items. Tomorrow morning we will find confetti in their rooms.
August 2nd, 2007 at 4:26 pm
How are those pictures coming?
September 20th, 2007 at 7:54 am
Please do an update on the lion cubs and the tiger cubs. Since “the girls” are over a year old, big changes must be coming. We would love the hear about them before they go to their new homes elsewhere.