News from Lion Camp – Our Cub Has a Name!
Posted at 4:04 pm December 9, 2005 by Marcia Redding
We are pleased to announce that our lion cub has a name at last. He will now be known as Koza, a Swahili word that means to shine or be bright. This name is very appropriate, as he is rapidly becoming a star at the Wild Animal Park. This week he reached a milestone – he is now old enough to go on ” field trips” to Lion Camp, where he plays, exercises, and suns in an off-exhibit area. When not at Lion Camp, he spends his time at the Animal Care Center in Nairobi Village, where he can be seen through the nursery window.
Koza will be one month old on December 12. As is normal for a cub his age, his eyesight and coordination leave something to be desired. As he grows, his vision and balance will rapidly improve, but right now when he tries to bat at something, he usually is a few inches off. However, he is still eager to explore, and will toddle off in any direction, colliding with things as he goes. This does not seem to faze him in the least, so his keepers need to be close by so he doesn’t get into trouble.
Koza weighs approximately 9 pounds (4 kilograms) now, and can expect to weigh around 400 pounds (180 kilograms) when full grown, just like M’bari, his father. Right now the cub has no contact with the other lions, but as he gets older this will be a priority.
In a previous blog I mentioned the possibility of finding a canine playmate for Koza; this is still a possibility, but no final decision has been made as yet.
Come in and see our little shining star soon – he will be a big lion quicker than you can imagine!
Marcia Redding is a senior mammal keeper at the Wild Animal Park.
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December 11th, 2005 at 8:53 am
What a fitting name!!
Koza is the brightest little star…born to survive and shine! He is the most precious little thing and I can’t wait to hear more about his antics. Thanks, Marcia, for making those of us too far away to visit feel so involved.
December 12th, 2005 at 1:35 pm
Koza is a terrific name! The photo you provided with your latest update shows a bright little guy who will bring smiles to many fans. He sounds like a real go-getter and I look forward to visiting him really soon. In the meantime, I am learning and loving every bit of information shared through this segment of the SDZ/WAP website. Many thanks, once again.
December 12th, 2005 at 10:17 pm
Marcia, thanks so much for the update on little Koza. It’s a perfect name for him! Are you able to give us some idea of when he is most likely to be in the Nursery where we can see him? I want to get up to the WAP in the next week or two, and selfishly hate the thought that he might be off exhibit when I am there. I do realize, of course, that he needs to be close to the pride and to realize that he’s a lion, and I hope he can eventually be assimilated into the pride.
December 13th, 2005 at 1:46 am
Welcome ” Koza” ! You are beautiful! Your name is so appropriate and especially so at this wonderful Christmas season, for you are a gift to all of us. Thank you to all of those dedicated and devoted to your care and radiant health. A bright and shining star with such an endearing and lively personality you have stolen our hearts! Thank you Marcia for again sharing the information that helps us visualize just how energetic and determined this little cub can be. Luv to All, Judy J
December 13th, 2005 at 11:05 am
Thank you for your Koza update, Marcia. If Koza gets a puppy companion it would be great to see videos of their first meeting, their play sessions, etc. Or even Koza’s introduction to a variety of pups if you need to do that until a relationship ” clicks.” If you need a name for Koza’s puppy, may I recommend ‘Kazoo’? (Chuckle) It just works for a variety of reasons.
December 13th, 2005 at 3:18 pm
I can’t believe our boy is already one month old! What a handsome young lion Koza is! Thanks for the update.
December 13th, 2005 at 3:33 pm
Thanks everyone for the wonderful comments! Shirley asked what would be the best time to see Koza in his room at the Animal Care Center. So far, his visits to Lion Camp have taken place between noon and 1:30, approximately. I would say your best chances would be in the morning.
December 13th, 2005 at 4:58 pm
Our boy is growing up so fast! He’s already a camper. I loved your description of his awkward movements…reminds me of Su Lin’s first attempts at walking and exploring her world. Glad you are there to keep him out of trouble.
December 13th, 2005 at 5:25 pm
What a beautiful boy Koza is! I saw him one week ago and plan to visit him regularly. Thank you for your descriptive updates and for letting us know the best time to see him.
December 14th, 2005 at 8:53 pm
As a regular viewer of all the ZooCams, I wondered if the Wild Animal Park is planning to install a Lion Camp Cam. It seems like the perfect place for one and would be tremendously popular.
December 15th, 2005 at 1:34 am
We think that Cozy or Koza will be a big star and we will love to follow his progress!
With longer ears and shorter legs, he would be a very nice basset, but doing rather good as a cat.
Best wishes!
December 19th, 2005 at 3:16 pm
What a handsome boy! And looking very tough in that picture… practicing his ” I’m a big lion!” look and growl no doubt. Congratulations on his arrival and his health – he certainly seems happy as well. Keep the updates on his progress coming – and more pictures please. He’s just too adorable!
December 20th, 2005 at 12:38 pm
Oh how I’d love to see that little angel trying to swat at something and missing or walking on his wabbly legs. But these blogs are the next best thing. Since I’m from Ohio, chances aren’t too great that I’ll be getting to SD soon
( So thank you, thank you, thank you all at the SDZ for these wonderful web cams and blogs. They sure brighten one’s day. And you, little Koza, watch your step now!
December 21st, 2005 at 7:50 pm
It is time for a Koza update. Many of us cannot get enough news of him.
December 22nd, 2005 at 11:04 pm
I have heard that Koza now has a companion. Can you confirm that?
Editor’s note: Marcia will provide a Koza update next week.
December 23rd, 2005 at 11:39 pm
Koza is adorable! I saw him on the news today. And, I also saw what may be his canine companion. They said she was an Italian Mastiff but she doesn’t look like what others consider to be an Italian Mastiff. Can you confirm the breed of this beautiful dog?
December 24th, 2005 at 12:59 pm
Koza does have a canine companion, Her name is Cairo, she is a Cane Corso Mastiff. I was her foster mom for Operation K9 rescue. She is about 8wks old now. Her Mom was a rescue from hurricane Katrina. We took in her Mom and she had 3 pups, Cairo was one of them. Myself and my family of kids and dogs helped little Cairo become socialized with people. She is a great pal to Koza, she is fearless and such a love and the keepers are giving her so much attention. I am proud to have Cairo representing Operation K9 Rescue.
Christy Hutson