His name is...Tobias. The Buffalo Zoo announced the official name of its nearly three-month-old male African lion cub.On April 27, the Zoo announced the birth of a male lion cub to first-time parents Lelie and Tiberius. At the time of the announcement, it was still uncertain what the cub would be called or the process by which the Zoo would eventually name him.
In the case of this cub, the first in 25 years, the husbandry and overall care took a personal turn for his caregivers, led by Alicia DuBrava, lead big cats keeper. Lelie had difficulty with successful nursing, so her cub was trained early to accept feedings through the holding area protective mesh.
At close to 20 pounds and nearly three months old, staff began to call the cub Tobias. The Zoo said when discussions occurred surrounding an official public name, it became clear that the entire team had embraced the name and decided to keep it. Tobias was chosen, in part, as a play on words on the cub's "cute little toes" leading to a "toe-bias."
The Zoo said the name has no particular significance and keepers look forward to the cub growing as big and strong as his parents. Efforts continue to acquaint Tobias with the rest of the lion pride and planning has started for his introduction to the outdoor yard as a precursor to his eventual public debut.
