For Immediate Release
Contact: Dawn Ream (402) 738-2022
Five Lion Cubs Born at
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium®
Omaha, NE (January 4, 2013) – Five lion cubs, two males and three females, were born at
Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium on December 29, 2012.
Four of the cubs are on display with the mother and aunt at the Cat Complex. The easiest way
for visitors to get to get the Cat Complex is by using the Elevator located at the top of the hill by
the Cat Complex.
One of the female cubs is currently off-display in the hospital receiving round the clock care.
She was smaller than the other cubs and didn’t compete well for food. 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 our hospital for hand-rearing. The cub weighed 2.2 pounds while the other
cubs ranged in weight from 2.8 pounds to 3.5 pounds. In the hospital intravenous support was
provided and the cub is now being bottle fed. It now appears to be stronger and more vigorous
but will continue to need intensive care. When the cub’s health is stable and she is gaining
weight, she will be introduced back with 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 sub-species,
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 take these cubs into account.
The father, Mr. Big, is 14 years old and weighs 560 pounds. He eats a 15 pound beef diet daily.
The mother, Mfisha, is six years old and weighs 335 pounds. This is the first litter for both
lions.
In addition to the new cubs, Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium has four African lion
adults, one male and three females in the Cat Complex.
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 east and
southern Africa.
The last lion birth at Omaha’s Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium was in 1994.
--30--