Updates From the Zoo's Lion Keepers
Watch the cub cam
September 15
Shera’s cubs are growing fast and are becoming more ambulatory. With each passing day, the cubs' chances of survival increases, but at two weeks old they are not out of the woods yet. Infant cub mortality is captivity is about 30 percent.
Our veterinary staff will be coming down for the cubs' first exam this Friday. At noon, we will be holding a live chat on our website. And all this week, we're fielding your questions via 
Twitter and Facebook.
Shera is now starting to let the cubs play in the outer den overnight, where Naba can see them, but is doing her best to keep them in the birthing den during the day. Over the weekend, Shera started showing interest in associating more with Luke and Naba.
By Monday Shera was even acting a bit restless so we decided to give her the opportunity to go outside with Naba. Shera darted out the door, and even initiated some play with her sister. We’ll continue to give Shera access outside from here on out, although once Naba gives birth, she may decline to go.
This morning, we let Luke and Shera visit inside. She was very affectionate with him, so we let all three adult lions outside and will probably continue doing this. We'll let Shera back in if she acts like she wants to come in or if the cubs wake up and look restless.
We won’t be introducing Luke to the cubs anytime soon, but will continue to keep you updated about how the pride is progressing behind the scenes. Keep tuning in to the cub cam and be sure to join us for the live chat this Friday!
Today is Naba’s 104th day of gestation, and we are starting to see her behavior change. Naba has had access to her own set of cubbing dens for several weeks now, but last night was the first that she chose to sleep in the birthing den. The image at right was taken last night from the cam in the den.
We expect that she’ll give birth within the next ten days!
Watch a clip from the cam (September 14)
