Pride and joy for Lion king and his cubs
Werribee Open Range Zoo's trio of inquisitive and playful three-month-old Lion cubs are becoming well acquainted with the king of Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Cubs Mwezi, Kianga, and Jango are thriving in the company of their patient father - six-year-old pride male Sheru – as they play and pounce on his pristine golden mane.
Werribee Open Range Zoo African River Trail Keeper Lydia Whiteway said that, despite the cheeky behaviour of the mischievous trio, Sheru is very calm and confident in their presence.
“Sheru spends a lot of time laying down and allowing the cubs to pounce on him. They will then jump, climb, playfully bite, and paw at his mane,” she said.
“After all the action, they also have some really nice quiet time. We often see them lying between his paws and resting together, which is lovely to see.”
Ms Whiteway said the growth in strength and resilience of the cubs is enabling them to spend longer periods of time with Sheru and also in view of Zoo visitors.
“During the past three months, the cubs would often tire very quickly after small periods of play and retreat to the comforts of their den with their mother Nilo [pronounced: Nee-low],” she said. “Now, the cubs have the stamina to explore their habitat for an entire day at a time.”
Ms Whiteway said that the rest of the Lion pride are growing and learning too.
“Raising cubs provides opportunities for lifelong learning for the pride and it has been an excellent learning curve for Sheru,” Ms Whiteway said.
“Raising cubs provides opportunities for lifelong learning for the pride and it has been an excellent learning curve for Sheru,” Ms Whiteway said.
“Sheru is, interestingly, naturally shy and gentle in nature, which is in contrast to the assertive and dominant traits you’d expect from a male lion. Fathering cubs is enabling his personality to blossom and he is showing he is an excellent father.”
African lions are listed as Vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List, with their population declining to around only 39,000 in the wild in sub-Saharan Africa. The species is facing threats including human-wildlife conflict, poaching and habitat destruction. The lion pride at Werribee Open Range Zoo is part of the Australasian zoo breeding and conservation program.
Werribee Open Range Zoo visitors have the opportunity to see the lion pride along the Zoo’s African River Trail.