The Phoenix Zoo reports that its two African lion cubs, born June 3, are thriving behind the scenes. Despite the recent and unexpected passing of their father, 8-year-old Boboo, zoo staff are excited about the cubs' progress and the promise they hold for the future.
In the weeks before his passing, Boboo received extensive medical care. Initially thought to be affected by summer heat, his condition worsened, revealing kidney cancer. A thorough examination under anesthesia discovered a mass in his abdomen, leading to the difficult decision for humane euthanasia on June 28.
Zoo staff have been closely monitoring the cubs to ensure they are healthy and developing as expected under the attentive care of their mother, Zuri. Dawn Addelson, the zoo’s Carnivore Collection manager, expressed her relief and pride in Zuri’s parenting.
“We're always prepared on standby if we had to step in and help, like hand raise or partially hand raise these cubs, but we have been able to be completely hands off,” said Addelson. “Zuri’s doing an amazing job. They are fat, little roly-polies. She's keeping them so well fed.”
Addelson shared that the cubs are already displaying distinct personalities, with one being more adventurous and the other more shy.
“One of the cubs has much darker spots than the other one, making them easy to distinguish. The lighter colored one is very close to Zuri, while the darker spotted cub is more adventurous and braver,” she explained.
The zoo plans to gradually introduce the cubs to their outdoor habitat in stages, ensuring they adapt comfortably. They will start in an outdoor holding yard, familiarizing themselves with the sights and sounds around them before being introduced to the main exhibit. Additionally, the cubs are beginning to interact with their maternal aunt, Kamara, through a mesh window in their night house stalls, helping them get accustomed to her presence.
"When they hit 8 weeks old, which should be the last week in July, we will be planning on doing their 8 week exam and vaccinations. So we'll be able to confirm the sexes of the cubs at that time,” says Addelson.
Their public debut is planned for this fall.
