The Buffalo Zoo has announced the birth of three more African Lion cubs. This is the second time in just months that new cubs arrived at the Zoo.
Zoo President & CEO Donna Fernades is thrilled to announce the birth, born May 12 to first-time mother Lusaka and father Tiberius. Tiberius is the father of four.
“We were so excited to share the news at the end of April about Tobias, our first lion cub in 25-years, so the media and the public can imagine our excitement at sharing the news about three more cubs and our growing lion pride,” said Dr. Fernandes.
The Zoo said the cubs recently underwent their ‘first health check-up and weighed-in between eleven and thirteen pounds.’
The Zoo reports the new cubs have been exclusively fed by their mother, with the health screening as the only human interaction.
“The overall comparison between the experiences of each lioness underscores the fact that each case is different. We are simply thrilled at our ability to contribute to conservation efforts of the species through public awareness and the family experience,” added Dr. Fernandes.
The trio of adult lions were art of a breeding recommendation. "This was very much a planned breeding program," stated Geise. "Back in March we had our first cub, Tobias, and he was just introduced to the public on Father's Day.
The adult lions are offspring of native African lions and were paired as a result of a Species Survival Plan (SSP) recommendation. Lusaka was born at the Smithsonian National Zoo in Washington D.C. in 2010 and Tiberius was born at the Seneca Park Zoo in Rochester, NY in 2013. They arrived to Buffalo in 2013 and 2014 respectively.
Zoo Director of Marketing Todd Geise tells WBFO News the three cubs are doing 'fantastic'.
"We're very pleased with the care that their mother has taken on them. They're feeding just great. She's very protective. They're exploring with her. It's just a very exciting time here at the Zoo," said Geise.
The Zoo expects the newest cubs to make their public debut in August, but you can stay posted through the Zoo’s social media pages and following any decisions on the naming of the cubs.
"We have to make sure that introductions are successful between both of the of the mothers and all of the cubs, including the first cub from a few months ago, and then we have to introduce Tiberius, the father," noted Geise. "Once that's all successful then everybody gets introduce to the exhibit."
