The Newest, Cutest Baby Animals from the World's Zoos & Aquariums

The Magnificent Seven Are Soon to Meet!

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The National Zoo is making great progress with introductions between Shera and her cubs, Naba and her own cubs (born just 3 weeks after Shera's) and Luke, the father of all seven cubs. In recent weeks, keepers have been delicately observing how all three adult Lions interact with one another and the new arrivals. Naba spent some time away from her own babies to meet and even groom Shera's litter. The cubs' sire, Luke, is curious too. While still separate from the babies for their safety, he is able to visit them through a "howdy door" and his interest in the magnificent seven is a great sign. Below are recent pictures of Shera's quartet at 5 weeks old.

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Photo credits: National Zoo

See many more pics below the fold…


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According the zoo's lion keepers: "Naba, Shera, and Shera's cubs were together again for the second time this morning (Oct. 8th). Everything went well! Naba groomed the cubs again, and Luke, the cubs' father, saw Shera's cubs for the first time through the howdy door! He seemed interested, lingered for about 20 minutes, and got a head rub from Shera, which means she felt comfortable with him being so close. Two of the cubs went to the door to check him out."

"Our observations of all the cats' behavior will determine when we think everyone's ready to be together—when we'll let Luke in with the cubs. It won't be for a few weeks but stay tuned!"

6 responses to “The Magnificent Seven Are Soon to Meet!”

  1. Nan Avatar
    Nan

    How do you tell the cubs apart? Like which cubs belong to which moms?

    Reply
  2. FlyingWolf Avatar
    FlyingWolf

    right now one liter is much bigger then the other – but they all have little bits shaved to tell them apart. You can sometimes see it on the cams.

    Reply
  3. Classic Steve Avatar
    Classic Steve

    I like it when they appear to be smiling.

    Reply
  4. maxon Avatar
    maxon

    I bet their mums know who is who and, for the most part, that’s probably all that matters.

    Reply
  5. eternalcanadian Avatar
    eternalcanadian

    Don’t lions stay away from the lionesses and cubs in the wild? Like the lions go off and be on their own while the lionesses stay together and raise the cubs. Then when mating season comes around the lions come back and mate with the lionesses? How will the zoo ensure Luke won’t attack the cubs if they usually aren’t together in the wild? Acting curious via a howdy door doesn’t mean he won’t turn violent and see the male cubs as threats and the female cubs as potentional mates? I don’t think they plan to keep them together and will ship all seven cubs away before they become sexually mature, right?

    Reply
  6. Manic Avatar
    Manic

    Lions in the wild tend to live in prides; there’s usually one or two big males with an essential ‘harem’ of a number of lionesses. The lions, lionesses, and cubs usually ARE together except when the cubs are first born, at which time the lioness might go off on her own for a little while.
    A male lion is unlikely to leave his lionesses for any extended period of time because 1) another male might try to take possession of the pride, and kill the previous cubs, and 2) the lionesses are the male lion’s meal ticket; they’re much more efficient hunters than he is on his own.
    An adult male lion will not see his own cubs as a threat until they are much, much older and is highly unlikely to attack them.
    Cubs in the wild will climb on him and try to have a bit of fun the same way they would with the lionesses.

    Reply

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