Mina's Cubs Meet Dad!
Posted at 12:13 pm November 17, 2006 by Marcia Redding
Yes, there's more good news from Lion Camp at the Wild Animal Park! Mina's three cubs, born on July 20, were introduced to their father for the first time yesterday, November 16. They have had access to Izu through an introduction screen inside the bedroom area for several weeks now. As with his older cubs, Abena and Bakari, Izu has been happy to interact with his younger offspring through the screen and has also enjoyed visiting with Mina.
On the big day, the barrier was removed inside the house and the cubs found themselves face to face with their father for the first time. Izu lived up to his reputation as a great lion dad. After greeting the cubs, he attempted to play with them; as with Abena and Bakari, they were a little intimidated. Mina, being the laid-back mom that she is, was much less concerned about the cubs' interaction with dad than Oshana had been with her litter. Although Izu was a little clumsy at first, the cubs soon realized that he meant no harm and that he was fun to play with! Mina was happy to be back with her mate also, greeting him with face rubs, licks, and a couple of playful tackles.
Things were going well and the family was released to the exhibit. Immediately, the cubs began using Izu as a gigantic toy, following him around, attempting to tackle him, and climbing on him whenever they could. Kamau and Zenda were thrilled with their new playmate; Mandisa, the smallest cub and the only female, was particularly bold, following dad around like a little shadow. (She is pictured above with Izu.) Predictably, she was the first one to experience some fatherly discipline. As Izu rested in the grass, she climbed on his back, which she had done before. However, this time her mission seemed to be to pull some hair out of his mane. After grabbing a mouthful, she leaned back and pulled as hard as she could. Izu tolerated this for a moment, but then she actually managed to rip out a few hairs. Izu's limit had been reached. Standing up, he put his paw on his daughter and gently pinned her to the ground for a few seconds. Then he let her up and meandered off. Mina had watched the entire exchange closely, but knew her cub was in no danger. Mandisa quieted down for a few minutes, but soon was back to her old tricks, pouncing on and playing with Izu along with her brothers.
After the family was on exhibit for a couple of hours, everyone came back inside for a rest. Izu was happy to go back out a few minutes later with Oshana, Abena, and Bakari. He was one tired dad at the end of the day and was happy to be in his own room for a rest and a meal. All the lions were content and sleepy as we left for the night; it had been an exciting day.
For now, Izu and Mina will probably be out with their cubs first thing in the morning. At some point in the late morning/early afternoon, the groups will be switched so Izu's other family can have some time with him on exhibit. There is no set schedule as yet; when we have settled into a routine, exhibit times for each group will be posted.
The next step for our pride will be to introduce both females with their cubs to each other. They have all had visual contact while inside the bedrooms, but have not shared the intro screen as yet. When we see how everyone does side by side in the house, we will decide whether or not to let the whole pride be together. Mina and Oshana will have to get used to each other again, and be allowed to resolve the issue of who will be dominant. Hopefully, all will go smoothly and we will be treated to the sight of all eight of our beautiful lions enjoying each other's company. I will post updates as things progress. Come visit and watch Izu, our super lion dad, with his youngest cubs!
Marcia Redding is a senior mammal keeper at the Wild Animal Park.
Watch video of the cubs playing with Izu.
Take a look at our new Lion Cub Photo Gallery!
Read Marcia's previous blog about the lion cubs.
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November 17th, 2006 at 1:59 pm
Congratulations to Izu, Lion dad of the year! He has incredible patience and gentleness, especially for the King of the Jungle.
How did Oshana, Abena, and Bakari respond to Izu with the scent of his three other cubs and Mina all over him? Did Oshana act at all anxious? Since she is the more tense of the moms, it would seem logical that if either female is to react to the other being with their mate and cubs, it would be Oshana.
Look forward to future updates on how the two groups of mom and cubs do with their closer interactions. It will be interesting to see which female is the dominant one.
November 17th, 2006 at 2:55 pm
Again Marcia thank you for the update, I am hoping to get out there to see the cubs this weekend. It sounds like they are doing well and having a good time with Izu.
I can hardly wait to see Izu, Mina and the little 3 cubs together.
November 19th, 2006 at 11:13 am
Thanks for the update, Marcia. They are adorable. I was very glad to see them in person yesterday. I especially liked Izu's patience. At one point he just got up and walked away from the group and came and interacted with many of us in front of the Safari vehicle. Watching all three cubs play and interact with each other and both their parents was great. I also drove my boyfriend crazy by identifying the cubs by name and speculating which male cub was which. Any hints on identifying Kamau and Zenda? Mandisa was smaller and seemed to be exploring on her own more.
Is was also nice to see Etosha and M'Bari, they were out and clearly visible on the Bushline Railway tour. Is there any truth to the rumors that Etosha is pregnant? It's hard to tell from a distance but she seemed less lean than Mina.
November 19th, 2006 at 3:49 pm
Thanks for the comments, everyone! Margaret, scent is not an issue at lion camp - everybody smells each other while in the house, and additionally we rotate bedrooms, so they are continually surrounded with each other's scents. Jennifer, of the two males, Kamau is the largest, and also is lighter in color. Usually, If you see one on his back with belly to the sky, it's Kamau. The others do it on occasion, but he really likes this pose. I know everyone is interested in Etosha's situation. I will post a blog entry in the near future that answers everyone's questions - I appreciate your patience!
November 20th, 2006 at 12:14 pm
Thanks for the clarification Marcia. Rotating bedrooms says it all.
I look forward to hearing more about Etosha and M'Bari.
November 20th, 2006 at 8:09 pm
What a treat we saw this past Saturday morning — The 5 of them looked like such a happy family — Dad was hilarious and continued to put up with that darling (and very relentless daughter) Mandisa pulling on his ear and on his mane. Seems that Mina is doing a good job as mom. A bit different than Oshana but nevertheless, she is doing okay. The interaction was wonderful, and they seemed quite comfy even with all that construction noise going on. Big Daddy Izu is such a " King of the Lion Camp." He's beautiful!
Seeing all 8 together would be practically an historical event, but I get a bit nervous about having both Oshana and Mina together with the 5 cubs. I don't study lions, but I think I've heard that it's always the females with other female's cubs that causes concern, and not the Dad. Is that correct information? Maybe I was misinformed. If you get a chance, can you answer this question for me? I'd very much appreciate your help. Thanks!
These lions are a treat! They are truly beautiful and amazing animals.
November 21st, 2006 at 12:48 pm
With 5 cubs to keep him busy, Izu doesn't get much chance to " rest" any more does he? In visits to various zoos over my 50+ year lifetime, I have rarely seen male lions awake. To see Izu playing with either set of cubs would be an indescribable treat and cherished memory. His patience must be close to legendary. He doesn't seem to get bothered by much at all, except the actual hair being removed by Mandisa. His slow and deliberate reaction to " pin her down gently" and then walk away is great education for human fathers and mothers in how to react to extreme boisterous behavior from little ones.
November 21st, 2006 at 12:49 pm
P.S. I love the picture of Izu and the cubs. The expression on his face when looking at Mandisa is priceless!!!
November 28th, 2006 at 3:40 pm
The picture of Izu and his cub (shown above) made a national website - so now the whole country has seen our " Big Daddy of the Year" Izu and one of his beautiful babies. Way to go!!
December 10th, 2006 at 9:43 am
I have been reading about your lions since the cubs were born. Much mention has been made of what a great dad Izu is, and I find myself wondering whether these are his first cubs, or if he has older offspring as well.
December 13th, 2006 at 5:00 pm
Joy, these are Izu's first cubs. He's a young male, just over 3 years old. We are so fortunate to have him - he truly is a great dad, and has been very easy to work with from day one. He is a very special boy.
December 18th, 2006 at 11:41 am
Thanks for the clarification about Izu, Marcia. I was wondering the same thing. Wow, what a great animal he is to be so patient a dad at such a young age. He is barely beyond cub stage himself. No wonder he wants to play. He can still remember what it was like. Was his father a wild lion, or was he born in a reserve? I forget about his past. Either he is genetically calm, or he had calm parents.