Denver Zoo Celebrates Arrival Of 2 Lion Cubs

DENVER, CO — Two healthy lion cubs were born at the Denver Zoo's Benson Predator Ridge Thursday. The cubs, whose sexes have yet to be determined, were born to mom, Kamara, 4, and dad, Tobias, 4.

The cubs join the rest of the pride that includes an unrelated female, Sabi, 7, Kamara’s mom, Neliah, 7, and their half-brother, Tatu, who was born to Neliah and Tobias on July 25.

“We are watching Kamara closely to make sure she’s showing appropriate maternal behaviors, like nursing and grooming,” Denver Zoo Assistant Curator of Predators Matt Lenyo said in a statement.

“She learned a lot by watching Neliah and interacting with Tatu last year, which really prepared her to be a mom. We’re seeing a lot of positive signs that things are going well, and will continue to keep a close eye on her and the cubs in these critical first days and weeks.”

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Kamara and her cubs will stay behind the scenes for around two months to give them time to bond and gradually introduce the cubs to the rest of the pride. They'll spend most of their time in their den box, which the Denver Zoo Animal Care team provides to mimic the space Kamara would seek out to give birth in the wild, officials said.

Kamara will still have access to other holding areas behind the scenes, but the addition of the den box gives her a sense of security for her and her cubs, the zoo said.

Video courtesy of Denver Zoo