Youngest Lions Have First Exam
Posted at 10:10 am September 18, 2006 by Marcia ReddingYesterday, Mina’s three cubs–Kamau, Zenda, and Mandisa, now seven weeks old–received their first veterinary exam (see Marcia’s previous blog, Lion Cubs Named). The cubs came through with flying colors and were proclaimed strong and healthy.
We have been handling the lion cubs since they were two weeks old, with just such an occasion in mind. Every day, we move Mina next door and give her some yummy food treats so the experience will be positive for her. We then spend some time with the babies, picking them up, touching them all over, and desensitizing them to various stimuli. We also weigh them regularly to track their growth. They are growing fast: Kamau, the largest, weighs slightly over 20 pounds (9 kilograms); his smaller brother, Zenda, weighs 18 pounds (8.1 kilograms); little sister Mandisa weighs nearly 14 pounds (6.3 kilograms). Lately, we have concentrated on gently pinching the scruff of their necks in preparation for their vaccinations.
All our preparation paid off on the big day. We were able to hold the cubs as they received their vaccinations, the first of a series of three. None of them even acknowledged the shots: it was obvious that they felt no pain. They were happy to allow the veterinary staff to examine them; all three remained relaxed in our arms. The part they objected to was the dose of wormer paste they had to swallow, obviously not a taste treat. Mina checked her cubs over carefully as usual when reunited with them, finding no cause for concern. All parties involved found the occasion to be pretty stress free – animals and staff included!
It will be at least another month before Mina’s cubs will be large enough to go on exhibit at the Wild Animal Park’s Lion Camp. The only way to view them at this time is to book a Cats and Carnivores tour, offered by the Education Department. Advance reservations are required for these special tours.
It is very rewarding when advance planning results in real benefits for our charges. Our three little lions are getting a good start in life!
Marcia Redding is a senior mammal keeper at the Wild Animal Park.
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September 18th, 2006 at 10:32 am
Thank you for the very descriptive update. We saw the twins yesterday and can hardly wait to see the triplets. The mother and twins looked beautiful and very fit as they ran and played at Lion Camp.
September 18th, 2006 at 1:42 pm
Thank you again for the update on Mina’s three little ones, I am glad to hear they are growing and doing well. It also is great to hear that all of your touching and desensitizing worked on their first exam. What a thrill it must be to have them relaxed and to make this a postive encounter for the cubs. Mina seems to be so relaxed and not bothered by her seperation from her cubs in order for Vets and staff to check the cubs. A job well done by all.
September 21st, 2006 at 2:30 pm
can i see some pictures of baby animals that you had? thank you so much
Editor’s note: We’ll post photos of Mina’s cubs when they become available.
September 24th, 2006 at 5:18 pm
I login every day to the Panda Cam and have done for a year or so now, from the south coast of England. I love the cams and I always love to see what the animals are doing. I noticed one morning one of the polar bears was actually swimming on his back! But what a real treat to login and find your new baby elephant. Absolutely adorable! When I saw her, she was whisking her trunk around as if she’d just discovered how much fun it could be! The Zoo looks beautiful and it’s top of my list for a long overdue re-visit to the USA some time. Best wishes to all of you and your lovely creatures, and well done with socializing the lion cubs.
October 16th, 2006 at 10:52 am
Thanks for the updates. I always love to hear how the cubs are doing. I went on the Cats and Carnivores Tour and we did not go behind the scenes of Lion Camp to see the cubs. Rather we were taken to the old lion exhibit because of the cubs. However, by going there I got to meet Koza’s mother, Etosha, and found out she’s pregnant again! I hope that this time she’ll have an easier labor and be able to raise her cub(s). I look forward to seeing a blog update when the new cubs arrive.
October 23rd, 2006 at 6:30 pm
When is Etosha due to deliver? It is great news to hear that she has recovered from her caesarian and will hopefully be able to deliver her latest cub naturally. It will be exciting to see her nuture her cub on her own this time.
How are the triplets doing? Haven’t heard much about them since their first exam. Are they still young enough and small enough to interact directly with their keepers? It sounded like all the handling and familiarization helped when it was time for their exams and vaccinations. When do they have their next exams and their introduction to Dad? Hopefully their introductions will go as smoothly as Oshana’s cubs did with their dad. When will Mina’s cubs go out on exhibit? Will they be rotated with Oshana and her cubs, or will they be in separate enclosures?