Triplet lion cubs have made their public debut, just a few hundred meters from a newborn giraffe, at Dubbo’s Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
Key points:
- Three lion cubs and a giraffe calf have made their public debut at Taronga Western Plains Zoo
- The lion cubs were born in April but spent time away from the public eye to bond with their parents
- The giraffe was born at the weekend in front of zoo guests
It comes after the giraffe was born at the weekend in front of stunned zoo guests.
The three lion cubs were born in April but until now have been kept away from the public, to bond with their parents and get vaccinated.
First-time parents Marion and Lwazi escorted their children outside their compound where they quickly became the center of attention.
“Keepers and guests loved watching the cubs climb trees and rocks, although Marion seems to be on high alert as a first-time mother with these particularly confident cubs,” said lion keeper Justine Powell.
The lion cubs climbed trees and confronted each other in their first public date. (Provided by Rick Stevens)
“The cubs are very adventurous and playful and love having their dad Lwazi with them to practice their jumping, chasing and fighting skills.”
The babies are the first lion cubs to be born at the zoo since 2016.
“The last time we bred here, we had four boys, so the tides have turned,” Ms Powell said.
“It’s great because they’re easier for us to manage and they make the pride stronger, because the females are the ones who control the pride.”
Finding his teeth
The puppies are now 16 weeks old and gain about a kilo a week.
Playful lion cubs show off their stalking skills. (Provided by Rick Stevens)
They are out of soft food and enjoying their first carcasses.
“Puppies have recently progressed from things like mince, which is easy to eat … to eating carcasses,” Ms Powell said.
The lion cubs were initially shy about entering the public enclosure. (Provided by Rick Stevens)
“They’re pretty much on an adult diet, just smaller pieces.
“They had beef on the bone today, so they’re getting used to pulling the meat off the bone.”
Name a puppy
Two of the cubs are being named after the lions of the zoo and the supporters of the Taronga Foundation.
But the zoo has launched a competition with the public to name the third cub.
One of three female lion cubs enjoying the western NSW sunshine. (Provided by Rick Stevens)
Puppies and their parents will be on display daily from 11.15am to 2.15pm, and this will gradually be extended as their confidence grows.
“Each of the cubs have very different personalities and we love to observe this more as the cubs explore their habitat,” Ms Powell said.
Visitors watch the birth of the giraffe
On Saturday, a visitor to the zoo alerted reception that a giraffe had just given birth in front of amazed guests.
This giraffe calf was born in front of shocked zoo visitors. (Provided by: Taronga Western Plains Zoo)
After struggling to stand, the newborn giraffe needed a nudge from mother Mvita’s gentle hooves to help her find her wobbly legs.
The giraffe’s keepers agreed that Wayo, which means “footprint” in Swahili, was a fitting name for the new arrival.
It came just a month after another giraffe calf was born at the Western Plains Zoo.
Another giraffe at the zoo is also pregnant, a positive sign for their breeding program.
The zoo said the species was currently facing “silent extinction” worldwide and the program aimed to help it recover.
Giraffe numbers have been declining in the wild over the past decade due to habitat encroachment, trapping, civil unrest and poaching.
The wild population is estimated at less than 117,000, indicating a 40% decline in 30 years.
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