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The Great Cats exhibit on Lion/Tiger Hill features Sumatran tigers and African lions—living, breathing, roaring great cats. They are ambassadors for their wild relatives, and for the Zoo’s conservation and science initiatives for tigers, lions, and many other cats, which, even if not great in size, are still great!
On August 31 and September 22, 2010, the Zoo's two lionesses each gave birth to a litter of cubs. Shera's four cubs were born earlier; Naba's three cubs were born later.
Ever since the lion cubs celebrated their first birthdays, things among the pride have remained status quo—but changes are on the horizon. Don’t worry, no one is leaving right now. In fact, we don’t have any relocation recommendations for the youngsters just yet. However, if you’ve visited during the past several months you have probably noticed some odd behaviors among the cubs.
Read the keeper update to learn more about what growing up means for our lion pride.
Damai, the Zoo's female Sumatran tiger who debuted at the Zoo in May, got to do a little rabbit hunting recently. Keepers hid her weekly treat in various trees and other tall places throughout her exibit.
Read more in the latest tiger diary.
Lion Viewing
The Zoo's lion pride, including seven young lions, are on exhibit most days from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Some days, the juvenile lions may go out before 11 and stay out after 2. The schedule may change without notice depending on animal management or staffing needs. We will do our best to provide updates to help zoogoers plan their visit but may not always be able to do so. Thank you for understanding.
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.
Read more in the latest update.
Watch the lion cubs on the cams below! Please note: There are more dens than cams. If you're unable to see the cubs, they may be in a cam-less den or just out of view. If a cam is turned off, a keeper may be in that enclosure and will turn the cam back on before long.
Read more about what not to worry about when you watch them.
The lion cub cams were generously provided by CGH Technologies, Inc. allowing viewers around the world to watch the lions and other wildlife at the Zoo.
Questions or comments? Please
email us.
Can’t see any animals?
The animal(s) in this enclosure may have moved out of view.
Watching a lion mother and cub
Shera, the Zoo's five-year-old lioness, gave birth to four cubs on August 31. Her sister Naba, a six-year-old lioness, gave birth to three cubs on September 22. If no lions are visible, toggle between cams, as the lions have the freedom to move between dens.
Lion updates |
Meet the lions |
Facts about lions |
Adopt a litter of lion cubs |
Lesson plans
Lots of Cats
Four cheetahs live at the Zoo's Cheetah Conservation Station. Three tigers, three adult lions, and seven lion cubs live at Great Cats. Fishing cats and clouded leopards live on Asia Trail.
Learn about cats at the Zoo.
Lions and tigers are on exhibit between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m., daily (weather permitting).
Cat Conservation
Large
or small, cats are graceful, specialized, and powerful
animals. Yet, they are among the most endangered. Zoo
conservation biologists are working with colleagues
on lions’ home ground in Africa, and tigers’
in Asia, to develop the scientific understanding necessary
for effective conservation. Zoo scientists are studying
the ecology, behavior, and reproductive biology of tigers,
lions, and many other cat species, including cheetahs,
clouded leopards, and fishing cats. ![]()