NEW ADDITION

Detroit Zoo celebrates first zoo-born lion cub in 40 years

The Detroit Zoological Society announced the birth of a female lion cub, the first born in the zoo for since 1980.

Binti, whose name means “daughter” in Swahili, was born Sept. 10, 2020, to mother Asha and father Simba. Asha came to the Detroit Zoo from the Buffalo Zoo last year, as part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Program.

Simba once lived with the royal family of Qatar, and was given to the zoo in 2013.

Binti was born via cesarean section after Asha experienced difficulty giving birth. Three other cubs were stillborn.

The Detroit Zoo cared for Binti with an incubator and bottle feedings for the first several weeks of her life, then was let into a larger play-pen.

Binti has now formed a bond with her aunt, Amirah. On days when the temperature is below 40 degrees, she will be allowed into the lion habitat building, and may not be available for guests to view. For more information, visit detroitzoo.org.

COURTESY DETROIT ZOO Binti, the first lion cub born in the Detroit Zoo since 1980, was born Sept. 10, in Royal Oak.