The eight cubs - four males and four females - were born in August but 
they had not been allowed to join the rest of the pride at Longleat Safari and Adventure Park in Wiltshire until now and when they were allowed to do so, it was a moment to watch as they celebrated their freedom and took the trip out as an adventure. When they were out, playing; it started drizzling but it caused no hinderance in their joy ride. Proud mothers Nikata and Louise kept a close watch and let the cubs enjoy it to the extreme.
Keepers say both the first-time mothers have been very attentive to
their offspring, although they are less patient when it comes to humans. Bob Trollope, a zoo keeper said; 'Nikata and Louisa don't seem to have any problem joining in the rough and tumble games with their cubs. However, they are extremely protective and are nowhere near as accommodating with us.'
Within minutes of being released, the cubs were covered in mud and
leaves and were taking it in turns to try to balance their way along a slippery fallen tree trunk. Several of the braver individuals even began perfecting their ambush skills on their mother, although they were rather more cautious when father Hugo came over to say hello.
Mr Trollope added: 'Both mums have four cubs, with two of each sex, and Hugo is also a first-time father. However, he is considerably less interested in the youngsters and soon went back to what male lions do best - sleeping."
Longleat is famed for its lions, which are kept in two separate prides, but this is the first time the 'woodland' pride has had cubs. At birth, the cubs weighed just 2lb but now tip the scales at 18lb. Male lions usually reach their full size by the age of two, while females will be about three years old before they are fully grown.
Adult lions can weigh up to 440lb and grow to lengths in excess of 10ft.
they had not been allowed to join the rest of the pride at Longleat Safari and Adventure Park in Wiltshire until now and when they were allowed to do so, it was a moment to watch as they celebrated their freedom and took the trip out as an adventure. When they were out, playing; it started drizzling but it caused no hinderance in their joy ride. Proud mothers Nikata and Louise kept a close watch and let the cubs enjoy it to the extreme.
Keepers say both the first-time mothers have been very attentive to
their offspring, although they are less patient when it comes to humans. Bob Trollope, a zoo keeper said; 'Nikata and Louisa don't seem to have any problem joining in the rough and tumble games with their cubs. However, they are extremely protective and are nowhere near as accommodating with us.'
Within minutes of being released, the cubs were covered in mud and
leaves and were taking it in turns to try to balance their way along a slippery fallen tree trunk. Several of the braver individuals even began perfecting their ambush skills on their mother, although they were rather more cautious when father Hugo came over to say hello.
Mr Trollope added: 'Both mums have four cubs, with two of each sex, and Hugo is also a first-time father. However, he is considerably less interested in the youngsters and soon went back to what male lions do best - sleeping."
Longleat is famed for its lions, which are kept in two separate prides, but this is the first time the 'woodland' pride has had cubs. At birth, the cubs weighed just 2lb but now tip the scales at 18lb. Male lions usually reach their full size by the age of two, while females will be about three years old before they are fully grown.
Adult lions can weigh up to 440lb and grow to lengths in excess of 10ft.
No comments:
Post a Comment