Proud Sabi shows off cubs to the public
SHE stood by nervously, waiting for her “babies” to make their first appearance.
Carnivores’ curator for the Johannesburg Zoo Agnes Maluleke said she was very emotional as she waited for the two 5-month old lion cubs – a male called Bula and his sister Bontle – and their mother, Sabi, to venture out into a new enclosure, open to the public.
This is the first time in over 10 years that lion cubs have been born in captivity at the zoo.
Maluleke said the cubs had been kept confined to a night enclosure because human influences could affect their health. The fathers also often abandon the babies if they sense any human intervention. Sabi had had a baby a year ago, but it died after 14 days.
“We therefore monitored the new pregnancy very carefully and isolated her just before the birth, as lionesses do in the wild. We have kept the babies away from human contact as much as possible resulting in the babies being parent-raised, rather than hand-raised.”
They will be kept separately in the new enclosure until they are ready to be released into the general lion enclosure. The lions had been put on to contraceptives in recent years when laws were passed to ban canned hunting, so the zoo was expecting to receive a number of lions, which did not happen.
“The contraceptives messed with their breeding and that is why it took so long for these births to happen,” she explained.
As the doors finally opened, Maluleke said: “I am at a loss for words. I am nervous. I don’t know how they will react to the sights and sounds of humans. We have made the enclosure as environmentally friendly for them as possible.”
It was nail-biting for zoo staff members, the public and media, as the babies peeked their noses out of the nowopened door to the enclosure, step-by-step, venturing into the outdoors. After about 10 minutes, their mother seemed to take over and boldly walked out. Her cubs soon followed, not leaving her side, as they inspected their new habitat.
Maluleke explained the importance of protecting lions which could, in the next 30 to 50 years, become extinct.
“Worldwide, the species is under threat, with China now legalising the use of lion bones, including those of lions bred in captivity, for medicinal purposes,” she said.
The zoo now has 10 lions, five over the age of 18, and therefore unable to breed; three between the ages of 3 and 4; and the two cubs.
Everything is being done in the lion enclosures to ensure that the carnivores are stimulated both physically and mentally through toys, balls, climbing equipment and the concealment of food, forcing them to “hunt” for it.
The zoo also uses the faeces of pachyderms (thick-skinned animals) such as rhino and hippo to simulate a more natural environment.
“Visitors complained that the lions always seem to lie around lethargically; but lions are, by nature, lazy and sleep most of the time, especially when it is hot,” she added.
The zoo has also planted several different herbs in the new enclosure. The lions select the one they like and then spread it all over themselves “much like perfume”, she said.