Roaring News: On July 29th, one of our lionesses Ellie, welcomed a trio of adorable lion cubs into the world! This momentous occasion marks a significant milestone for our park and for the future of this vulnerable species, as these cubs are the very first lions to be born at Tanganyika.
Ellie, a first-time mom, is doing an incredible job taking care of her lion cubs– one male and two females. The largest of the lion cubs has already tipped the scales at 10.5 lbs, while the smallest, though still a sturdy brick is 7.5 lbs.
Breeding rare and endangered species is at the core of Tanganyika’s mission, and as we observe these lion cubs grow and thrive, we’re reminded of the pivotal role we play in the preservation of their species.
Two of our baby lions posing for a picture!!How Tanganyika Prepares for the Arrival of a Baby Lion
A baby lion has many specialized needs, and the animal care and maintenance teams at Tanganyika worked tirelessly to ensure this birth went off without a hitch. Some of the things they focused on included:
- Social Introductions: While Lions are naturally social animals, careful planning is necessary to ensure compatible animals are matched for breeding to occur.
- “Cub proofing” the habitat: Baby lions can be mischievous, so the team made habitat modifications to ensure their safety.
- Husbandry Training: Many of the animals at Tanganyika participate in positive reinforcement training to allow us to take better care of them. Some animals are trained for husbandry behaviors—like ultrasounds and blood draws—which allow care teams to ensure their health throughout the pregnancy.
Baby lions are typically born in litters of two to four cubs after a gestation period of only about three and a half months. As a result, baby lions are born blind and keep their eyes closed for the first one to two weeks of life.
Lions are the only truly social big cats, so the entire pride is involved in raising the cubs. Lionesses within the pride will serve as cub babysitters, allowing others to rest and hunt.
Roar!!If you want to get an up-close look behind the scenes, Check out our Wildly Different Experiences!
Lion Fun Facts That Animal Lovers Visiting Tanganyika Should Know
Lions are one of the most iconic animals in Africa, but these incredible cats are full of unique behaviors and adaptations that make them unique. Test your knowledge about the “kings of the jungle” with these lion fun facts!
- These regal creatures exhibit cooperative hunting, with lionesses working together to secure their next meal.
- Lions are social cats, and female lion cubs will often stay in their pride for life. Male lion cubs stick around for 2 or 3 years before setting out to start a pride of their own.
- And here’s a tidbit to impress your friends: a male lion’s iconic mane isn’t just for looks—it signifies their strength and dominance.
- Lions are known for their distinctive vocalizations, which include roars that can be heard up to 5 miles away, serving as both a means of communication and a way to establish their territory.
- These apex predators primarily inhabit grasslands and savannas, utilizing their well-adapted physical attributes for survival.
- Lions’ powerful limbs and sharp claws aid in taking down large prey like zebras and wildebeests, while their muscular bodies enable them to deliver swift and lethal attacks.
- Despite their fearsome reputation, lions spend a significant portion of their day resting, conserving energy for their primarily nocturnal hunting activities.
Unfortunately, African lions are listed as vulnerable by the IUCN. Lions in Africa occupy only a fraction of their historic range, and it is estimated that fewer than 20,000 remain. This is just another reason the birth of these cubs is important to the future of the species.
But there’s hope! Organizations like Ewaso Lions are working to protect lions in Africa to reduce conflict between humans and lions and promote coexistence. We’re proud to support organizations working to protect large Carnivores in Africa, including Zambian Carnivore Programme, Cheetah Conservation Botswana, and more!
Baby lions are just one of the rare and endangered species that Tanganyika works to protect and preserve. Tanganyika has had great success breeding Cheetahs, Bongo, African Penguins, and other rare and endangered species from all over the world.
Close-up image of one of our recently born lion cubs!The breeding programs for all of these species are made possible through visits from guests like you. Your support allows us to continue this critical work, protecting wildlife around the world!
How to Book Your Visit To See Tanganyika’s Lion Cubs
The lion pride at Tanganyika lives behind the scenes, out of public view, as part of our rare and endangered species breeding program. This additional privacy behind the scenes allows Ellie the time and privacy to bond with her lion cubs.
Though the cubs aren’t in public view, our care team has lots to report on how they are growing and developing. “Recently, the cubs started walking around a lot more without falling over and being wobbly. They’ve been venturing around their enclosure.” Says Ben Valencia, Carnivore Supervisor.
“As they continue to grow, their personalities and distinct traits are becoming more apparent.” The cubs have already shown a keen interest in ice enrichment. Keepers often make piles of ice or freeze ice in different shapes to encourage natural behaviors and to help cool animals off on hot days.
While Ellie and the cubs are tucked away in their den, you can meet the rest of our lion pride during the Origins Tour. One of our most popular Wildly Different Experiences, the Origins tour takes you behind the scenes to get up close with lions, leopards, and more!
To visit our Lion Pride and learn more about how you can protect lions in Africa, book your Origins tour now!
