Over the past few weeks at Lion Camp preparations have been under way for a very exciting event. We believe one of the females, Etosha, and her mate M’bari are expecting cubs. Etosha has not cycled since her last heat, and there have been physical signs as well. She has a bit of a belly, and her nipples have gotten pinker and more prominent.

While we are not positive there are cubs on the way (it is difficult to test for pregnancy in lions), we are very hopeful, and have been preparing the Lion House for any eventuality. First order of business was a snug, secure den for Etosha to use for her cubs. We closed in a portion of their shift alley with plywood, added a radiant heater above, and covered the floor with rubber mats and fluffy bermuda hay. Our wonderful Construction & Maintainence team helped with all of this, as well as the installation of a low barrier that will prevent tiny cubs from leaving the den until they are mobile.

Etosha and M’bari have access to the den every day. When Etosha’s due date comes closer, M’bari will be separated from her in an adjoining room, but will still have access to his mate through a mesh partition. If and when cubs are born, we will gauge his reactions and this will help us decide if he can share space with the litter and Etosha.

Etosha’s first possible due date is sometime near the end of this month. Lions have a gestation of 100 to 110 days, and the cubs are very small when they are born, weighing only a few pounds each. The lioness generally will give birth to 2 to 4 cubs.

I know there are many of you who have watched the residents of Lion Camp grow up. Soon there may be a new batch of youngsters to visit!

Marcia Redding is a senior mammal keeper at the Wild Animal Park.

Posted in Animal Stories, Default, General | Link to this post

You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Comments are currently closed. Pinging is not allowed.