Woodland Park Zoo, Lion cubs receive first health check-up

SEATTLE ‒ 2012-12-07 — /travelprnews.com/ — A neonatal exam on Woodland Park Zoo’s lion cubs revealed the quadruplets are healthy and are two males and two females. Visit www.zoo.org/lioncubs for photos of the exam.

The cubs, born November 8, mark the first offspring between the mother, 3-year-old Adia

(ah-DEE-uh), and 13-year-old father, Hubert. It is the first birth of lions at Woodland Park Zoo since 1991.

Woodland Park Zoo veterinarians performed the exam, which included a weigh-in, fecal sampling and an overall assessment of their health. A series of vaccinations will begin at the next exam in a few weeks.

According to Dr. Kelly Helmick, the zoo’s associate veterinarian, the cubs weigh between 8 and 9 pounds. “We’re very pleased to report they are robust and healthy. They’re in the normal weight range for their age and their eyes are bright and clear,” said Helmick. “They have full, round bellies, meaning they’re nursing regularly. Adia continues to show excellent maternal skills, which is especially good news for a first-time mom.”

The mom and cubs remain in an off-view maternity den that allows the family to bond in a quieter environment.

The cubs will go out in the public exhibit when they are older and outdoor temperatures reach a minimum of 50 degrees. Until then, zoo-goers can watch recorded video of the cubs at a kiosk stationed at the lion exhibit or at Zoomazium, the zoo’s indoor nature play area. Updated footage and images are posted on www.zoo.org/lioncubs as they are made available.

Woodland Park Zoo’s lions belong to the South African subspecies, Panthera leo krugeri. A 13-year-old female lion, named Kalisa, also lives at the zoo’s award-winning African Savanna. Known as the Transvaal lion, it ranges in Southern Sahara to South Africa, excluding the Congo rain forest belt, in grassy plains, savanna and open woodlands. These lions range in weight from 260 to 400 pounds.

The zoo’s fall/winter hours are 9:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m. daily. Admission during the fall/winter is: Adult (13-64) id=”mce_marker”1.75; Child (3-12) $8.50; Toddler (0-2) Free. Active, retired, and veteran U.S. military and their families, seniors and people with physical disabilities receive an admission discount. Zoo members receive free zoo admission year-round. Parking is $5.25.

Through January 1, Woodland Park Zoo is illuminated in a whole new light at its inaugural winter lights festival, WildLights presented by KeyBank. The sparkling, after-hours event hours is 5:30-8:30 nightly and will be closed December 24 and 25.

Approximately 375,000 energy-efficient LED lights will recreate wild animals and wild places in two and three dimensions along the zoo’s pathways and North Meadow inspired by exotic destinations from across the globe, including “Northern Lights,” “The Water Hole” and “Jungle Lights.”

Tickets can be purchased online only by visiting www.zoo.org/wildlights. Night-of-event tickets will be for sale at the zoo’s West Entrance, if not sold out.  WildLights will be a rain or shine event‒there will be no ticket refunds. For more information or to become a zoo member, visit www.zoo.org or call 206.548.2500 or 548.2599 (TTY).

Accredited by the Association of Zoos & Aquariums, award-winning Woodland Park Zoo is famed for pioneering naturalistic exhibits and setting international standards for zoos in animal care, conservation and education programs. Woodland Park Zoo is helping to save animals and their habitats in the Pacific Northwest and around the world. By inspiring people to care and act, Woodland Park Zoo is making a difference in our planet’s future. For more information, visit www.zoo.org.

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Woodland Park Zoo saves animals and their habitats through conservation leadership and engaging experiences, inspiring people to learn, care and act.

Gigi Allianic, Caileigh Robertson
206.548.2550 | woodlandparkzoopr@zoo.org

Photo Credit: Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo

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