Roar-some safari day for cubs
Seven African lion cubs born at West Midland Safari Park have had their first day out exploring their new home.
The two sets of cubs, who are now around five months old, recently had their first day out on the safari – in preparation for meeting guests for the first time on February 15. Although the youngsters were a bit hesitant at first, they were soon chasing each other around, playing and attempting to climb ‘lion rock’ – the large, sculpted vantage point in the centre of their habitat at the Bewdley attraction.
Once used to their new surroundings, keepers at the park introduced the cubs to the rest of the pride, including dad, five-year-old Tsavo, and his brothers, uncles Jilani and Jengo. Chris Hodgkins, head keeper of carnivores, said: “When we introduced the cubs to the rest of the pride, they were very inquisitive and not scared at all. If anything, the adults were more wary of the cubs, purely because they didn’t want to get a ‘telling off’ from the mothers , Amber and Scar, for getting too close.
“The youngsters are proving to be very mischievous and playful.”, plus they have so much confidence. We have watched them chase some of the adults around the safari, pounce on them whilst they are sleeping, and tug their tails, so they are proving to be a bit of a handful
“First, introductions were made to the adults who have encountered cubs before, followed by the rest of the pride and finally to the three big males. The cubs showed no fear at all and ran straight over to Tsavo and his brothers where they were soon seen biting their ears and tails and tugging on their manes.
“The boys withstand this behaviour for a while, but when they have had enough, they let them know with a growl or a forceful pat on the head.”
The next step for the cubs is to get them used to a few extra vehicles in the safari, ready for their debut with the public during February half-term.
