More Lion Camp News!
Posted at 3:59 pm November 30, 2005 by Marcia ReddingThis morning, Etosha and M’bari were back together for the first time since her caesarean operation and subsequent hospital stay. The mesh barrier between their rooms was removed and they immediately began grooming each other and playfully tumbling about. It was as if they had never been apart! Tomorrow they will go out on exhibit, Etosha having been given a clean bill of health by our veterinary staff.
Their cub, as yet unnamed, took up residence at the Animal Care Center, where he will soon be available for public viewing at last! Plan to pay him a visit sometime soon – lion babies grow very fast and he will be a big boy in what will seem the blink of an eye.
Some of you asked excellent questions, and I will do my best to answer them! Bernice asked if the little one will be reintroduced to the pride at Lion Camp. As soon as he is old enough he will be moved to Lion Camp, to expose him to other lions and normal lion behavior, but most likely he will not be directly integrated with the animals we have now. His most likely future as an adult will be as a mate for a lucky female lion, probably at another facility. Until then, he has lots of growing to do.
Nancy’s fifth grade class asks if the cub will have contact with his mother and who he will have as a playmate? As soon as possible, the cub will make visits to Lion Camp to interact through a barrier with the adult lions. At this point, Etosha will not recognize him as her own, and it would be dangerous for the baby to actually be in the enclosure with his parents. As for a playmate – how about…a puppy? Yes, a puppy. This option is being discussed as a solution to a problem – nobody for the little guy to play with except people. This strategy has been very successful with cheetah cubs in the past – some of you may have seen the cheetah Majani and his dog Clifford while at the Wild Animal Park. Nothing has been formally approved, but this would be a really creative solution for this dilemma! I will update you as more information becomes available. The class also asks if lions mate for life – the answer is no, not really. In the wild, as a male lion ages, he will be deposed by a younger, stronger animal, who will then have the right to mate with the females of that pride. Of course, in captivity the situation is quite different. Etosha and M’bari could very well be together for a long time, but eventually they could also be paired with other genetically compatible lions.
Jennifer asks if we will try to prevent Etosha from becoming pregnant again too soon. It is true that female lions will often come into estrus after losing a litter. Etosha has already shown signs of estrus before she was reunited with M’bari, which is why they have not been placed back together until now. It is very obvious when Etosha is beginning to cycle – her behavior is very specific at these times. For now we will separate her from M’bari during her cycles. They typically last for 3 days, after which they can be together again. Chances are she will begin to cycle less frequently due to the time of year – this is sometimes the case as the days get shorter. The veterinary staff will give us the green light at some point and she will be allowed to have another litter. We’ll just have to wait and see what happens! Don’t forget, we also have two more females that may become pregnant at any time – Mina and Oshana, from male Izu’s pride.
Last but not least, Stacy asks if a picture can be posted of the cub for those of you who live too far away to visit. The answer is – I’m on it! I will try to get a photo posted ASAP!
Thank you all for your concern and support. It is very much appreciated!
Marcia Redding is a senior mammal keeper at the Wild Animal Park.
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December 1st, 2005 at 5:10 am
WooHOo! Thanks Marcia, you’ve made my day! I fell in love with the lions in Kenya, where I went on Safari in 1997. I now safari via the Zoo/Wild Animal Park. I did have the opportunity to visit your Wild Animal Park a few years ago, and was very impressed at how it felt very much like the plains in Africa. I’m going to have to plan a trip to take the balloon ride through the park. Until then, thank you for sharing your beautiful animals with us!
Keep up the great work!
December 1st, 2005 at 7:30 am
Thanks Marcia for the wonderful updates. It’s just sad that the little one will never know his mommy – and vice versa. If a puppy is the answer to the little one’s playmate issue, please, please, please, provide us with pictures (and lots of them). How cute will that be?!?! I LOVE watching the panda cam (in fact, I’m addicted), but I really wish you guys had a cam for the lions too. Well, give the little one a kiss for me and thanks again for the updates.
December 1st, 2005 at 11:51 am
As usual, Marcia, you have given us fascinating information. I am very curious as to how you decide whether a companion dog will work for a large predator, and how you determine what kind of dog (age, breed, gender, etc.) will be the most compatible. I know that gorillas have ” adopted” kittens, and that elephants and horses are famous for forming deep attachments to companion animals, but it seems to me that a very large and dominant animal like a male lion might eventually develop issues with a pack animal like a dog, who also has a natural tendency to strive for dominance. I’m sure it works when they are young, but a playful slap or bite from a half-grown lion – or a loss of temper during a rough play session – could be dangerous to the dog. Do the big cats have to be taught to pull their punches? Or do they learn to do that as they grow up with their puppy? Or are their times together more supervised as they grow older? I know the SDZ staff would never endanger any animal….I’m just curious as to how you begin and manage such a relationship.
December 1st, 2005 at 2:48 pm
Pamela, thanks for your comments. Unlike the situation with the cheetahs, where they remain with their companion dogs for life, in this case the dog would be with the lion cub only as long as it remains safe for him. By this time we will have made arrangements for the cub to be introduced to another lion or lions. That said, I would not be in the least surprised if the companions will be able to remain together for quite a long time. Play behavior, in lions and in dogs, helps the young ones learn to coexist with others in the pride/pack. As lions are social, just as dogs are, I think they may quickly develop a sibling relationship, which will help both animals to moderate their behavior. The situation will be closely monitored, with the well being of both animals the primary concern. Of course, if we do go this route, we will have to choose the canine companion carefully – no chihuahuas need apply!
December 1st, 2005 at 5:29 pm
Thanks for the information Marcia! I really appreciate the updates on Etosha and family. It’s sweet to see how much M’bari and Etosha enjoy each other’s company. Though it’s sad to us that the little cub won’t get to meet mom and dad…I guess we must remember that they don’t see it the way we do. In reality, they won’t know they’re ” mom and baby” ! It’s ok though – the little one has all you moms and dads at the Zoo (and us ” Web moms/dads” !)…he’ll be more than well loved and cared for.
And mommy Etosha will have the same too!
December 1st, 2005 at 9:25 pm
Thank you, Marcia, for the most informative update and for the great news concerning the wellbeing of both Etosha and her cub. We will be making a trip to the WAP within a few days to see both as well as the five other lions in Lion Camp. They are wonderful animals.
December 2nd, 2005 at 5:43 am
WILL THERE EVER BE A CAM THAT SHOWS THE CUB OR HIS PARENTS?
September 7th, 2006 at 7:34 pm
Thanks, Marcia. I am sorry I had not seen these postings before I asked all my questions about Etosha and getting pregnant again. It is sad that Koza was lost, but hopefully she will have another litter next year and she and M’Bari can begin growing their pride as Izu has been growing his. I am happy they have each other to keep company and grow ” old” together.