Updates From the Zoo's Lion Keepers: Cubs Spend More Time With Luke
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December 15
Intros between Luke and the cubs continue to go well. Over the weekend Naba and Shera looked as though they were passing off the parenting duties to Luke. When we started the intro on Saturday morning, Shera led the cubs—who now range in weight from 25 to 35 pounds—into Luke's enclosure, gave him a quick head-rub, and then retreated to their own enclosures again, leaving the cubs with their father. One of the cubs tried to nurse from Luke, another spread out across his rear feet, and later Luke even tolerated another cub's persistent tail attacks. One of the sweetest moments occurred yesterday. While walking past a small pile of sleeping cubs, Luke bent down and gave Aslan a little lick across the head! He still swats and snarls at their attempts to play with his tail and mane, but sometimes it appears as though he's playing with them.
Yesterday, Naba's cubs got their 12-week exam. They got some shots, and everything went very smoothly. Now that all of the cubs have received all their necessary vaccinations, it's just about time for the cubs to go outside. Although the cubs have grown considerably since their swim test, we decided to lower the water moat just a little to ensure they can touch the floor on the shallow end. We also added metal panels around the trees to discourage the cubs from climbing. Now the yard just needs cubs, so our next step is to simply open up the doors. The rest is up to the moms.
At the end of this week we’ll be closing the Great Cats circle for short periods of time to give the cubs the chance to see their yard for the first time, in preparation for their debut this weekend—weather and other factors permitting! Naba and Shera may encourage the cubs to go into the yard, or they may put up a road block at the door. To find out how this story continues, stay tuned.
Beginning December 20, we'll be deciding on a day-to-day basis if the cubs will go outside, between 12:30 and 1:30 p.m. We hope they'll be out every day but winter is just about here, and they're adjusting to a new environment. Winter weather will be limiting the days they're outside. We're sorry if you come to the Zoo and the cubs are inside, but their safety is our biggest concern. Thanks for understanding!
