An African lioness received the ultimate gift on Valentine’s Day, welcoming two little cubs to the lion pride at Werribee Open Range Zoo.
Following a three-month pregnancy, eight-year-old lioness Asali gave birth to the cubs on February 14. The pair will join Werribee’s eight other lions.
Werribee Open Range Zoo Life Sciences Coordinator, Ben Gulli, said the cubs were tiny fluff balls with round milk bellies who are showing strong signs of early development.
“There is nothing cuter than a lion cub, and the whole team is so excited to see them become more curious every day, play fight with each other and curl up together when they nap,” Mr Gulli said.
“Asali is being such a wonderful mum and is always grooming the cubs and keeping them tucked close by her side.”
The zoo said that during the birth, vets needed to step in and perform a caesarean section after a prolonged labour to ensure the safety of mum and cubs.
The lioness had given birth to six cubs, but sadly, four didn’t make it. The two remaining cubs will remain with their mum in a private den for a while, away from the eager eyes of the public, to continue their bonding time.
“Providing Asali with a calm, secure environment allows her to raise her cubs as she would in nature, giving them the best possible start in life,” Mr Gulli said.
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