Updates From the Zoo's Lion Keepers: Pride Changes
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May 25, 2011
If you’ve been by to visit the lions or watched them on the outside cam lately, you may have noticed that some lions are not on exhibit. The adult lions started exhibiting breeding-related behaviors during the third week of May, indicating that Naba and/or Shera may be starting to come into estrus for the first time since giving birth. We had hoped to keep the pride together until the cubs were closer to a year old, but made the decision to separate Luke from Naba and Shera to prevent either from becoming pregnant with cubs still at toe.
We would like to keep the separation process as gradual as possible, and also maintain social bonds between the pride. Luke still has visual access to the pride overnight through the howdy door, and the cubs will still be given the opportunity to spend time with their dad outside. We are currently experimenting with the lion shifting routines, which means that the cubs may not be on exhibit during their usual hours each day.
For now, they will be outside between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. Some days, the cubs may go out before 11 and stay out after 2. They may be out with Naba and Shera, or with Luke.
It is likely that many changes will occur quickly over the next several months. We’ll keep everyone posted so be sure to check for updates!
