SEATTLE ‒ 2012-11-20 — /travelprnews.com/ — Quadruplet lion cubs, born November 8 at Woodland Park Zoo, continue to grow and show positive signs of good health. Go to www.zoo.org/lioncubs for today’s video.
The zoo’s newest conservation ambassadors are the first offspring for the mother, 3-year-old Adia (AH-dee-uh), and 13-year-old father, Hubert, and mark the first birth of lions at Woodland Park Zoo since 1991. The sex of the cubs has not yet been determined.
The mom and cubs are in an off-view maternity den that allows the family to bond in a quieter environment. “We are closely monitoring the litter via a web cam and we’re very pleased with Adia’s maternal care and protectiveness. As a first-time mother, she’s providing attentive care the way a good mother lion naturally does,” said Martin Ramirez, mammal curator at Woodland Park Zoo.
According to Ramirez, all four cubs appear to be healthy and their eyes have opened. “As far as we can tell, each cub is nursing and demonstrating increased mobility,” added Ramirez. “Our intent is to leave mom alone as much as possible without intervening. As part of our exemplary neonatal care program, we will conduct periodic exams.” The earliest target date for their first checkup is next week.
The cubs will go out for public viewing 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 also will be 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) $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.
From November 23 through January 1, Woodland Park Zoo will be illuminated in a whole new light at its inaugural winter lights festival, WildLights presented by KeyBank. The sparkling, after-hours event hours will be 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: Pam Cox/Woodland Park Zoo
3-year-old African lion Adia gave birth to quadruplets Nov. 8 at Woodland Park Zoo. The cubs and mom are off view in a maternity den and appear to be healthy. For recent video and photos, visit www.zoo.org/lioncubs.