Baby lion born in Smithsonian zoo
A tiny lion cub born May 18, 2010 at the National Zoo is a real attention-getter.
The yet-unnamed cub is the first lion cub to be born at the National Zoo and also the first birth for Nababiep (nicknamed “Naba”), the zoo’s six-year-old lioness. Zoo staff said there may be more excitement, as another cub could be on the way. A lion’s typical litter is two cubs, and may be up to six. Lion births may be several hours apart, so staff will be anxiously awaiting another possible arrival.
The cub is in good health, and appeared to have been nursed, though it will take some time yet for zookeepers and veterinarians to examine Naba and the cub. Zookeepers have not yet determined the cub’s gender. Generally, mothers won’t introduce a cub to the rest of the pride until a few weeks after the cub is born.
- After a few weeks, the newborn lion cub will join the rest of the pride.
Luke, a four-year-old male lion, is the father. Naba is one of two African lion sisters that zookeepers have introduced to Luke in hopes of developing a pride. In the wild, prides are led by a resident male lion, who is joined by related females and their offspring. Many big cats are solitary beasts, so lions are unique in developing social communities.
Luke and the other female, five-year-old Shera, have been separated from Naba and her cub to give the pair some privacy, but zookeepers will reunite the family during the summer months.
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