Updates From the Zoo's Lion Keepers
Watch the cub cam
September 3
We’re pleased to say that all the cubs—now three days old—appear to do be doing well, and that Shera has already proved to be an exceptional mother. So far, she rarely leaves the cubs and does so just long enough to get a drink of water or food from the adjoining den. She spends most of her time nursing and grooming the cubs, but is able to get some rest when the cubs doze off for their naps.
Shera’s behavior indicates that she is not ready to have keepers around the cubbing dens just yet, so we only visit long enough to offer food and fresh water. Although she watches us carefully when we do, she does not leave the birthing den while we are present. As expected, her response to food is slow so we divide her diet into three meals a day to monitor her consumption and prevent meat going bad inside the den. These are still early, critical days in the cubs' lives but we're all happy to see Shera's great maternal instincts.
Sisters
Shera has not been visiting with Naba at the howdy door, but clearly prefers that her sister remain close by, and Naba seems content to do so. Yesterday we offered Naba access outside for the second time since the cubs were born. As we saw the day before, Shera quickly realized her sister had left and began pacing at the howdy door. Interestingly, moments later Naba started banging on the door to come back inside. We brought Naba right back in, and Shera calmed down, returning to her cubs in the birthing den.
See for Yourself!
Today we are happy to announce that the web cam is up and running for everyone to see! There are a few behaviors that viewers should expect.
- Quite often, you may see three cubs nursing or moving around while one sleeps off to the side, but this is not necessarily the same cub each time.
- Shera may pick up the cubs from time to time by putting her mouth around their little bodies—this is a common method for mom to carry cubs at this age, and she appears to be quite gentle when doing so.
- The camera shows most of the birthing den, but a small section is out of view, so you may not see all four cubs at the same time, and sometimes Shera is out of view.
We hope you enjoy watching Shera and her cubs as much as we have! We particularly love to watch Shera pick up the cubs so that she can move them all into a little pile together.
