Updates From the Zoo's Lion Keepers: Shera's Cubs Meet Aunt Naba
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October 7
Shera’s cubs are getting big (about 13 pounds now) and are moving around quite well. If our web cam viewers are watching camera 7wf at just the right moment, they’ll be able to see Shera’s cubs running up and down the runway behind the cubbing dens. Today they started following Shera to the “adult” area of the lion building!
Naba spent a little time away from her own cubs this morning and visited with Shera’s cubs through a howdy door. Since Shera has been allowing the cubs to spend time so close to Naba, we thought everyone would be ready for an intro so we put Naba, Shera, and Shera’s cubs together for the first time today. It was amazing! The cubs went right in and ran over to their aunt without any fear, like they were dying to meet her! She groomed them, and the cubs played on her and on their mother. They spent about 45 minutes together, then we let the three adults spend time together outside. We'll do another intro tomorrow and more next week. Next Thursday, Shera's cubs will have another exam and get their vaccinations.
After Naba's cubs spend some time visiting Shera at the howdy door, we'll start preparing for physical intros between them. We expect that to begin when the cubs are four to six weeks old (they're two weeks old now). After that stage, we will introduce all of the cubs to each other. We’ll be sure to keep everyone posted!
October 8
Naba, Shera, and Shera's cubs were together again for the second time this morning. Everything went well! Naba groomed the cubs again, and Luke, the cubs' father, saw Shera's cubs for the first time through the howdy door! He seemed interested, lingered for about 20 minutes, and got a head rub from Shera, which means she felt comfortable with him being so close. Two of the cubs went to the door to check him out.
Our observations of all the cats' behavior will determine when we think everyone's ready to be together—when we'll let Luke in with the cubs. It won't be for a few weeks but stay tuned!
Enjoy these recent photos of Shera's cubs
