Posted by: Rebecca Whitham, Editor
Did you get outside to enjoy the fresh air today? You weren't the only one! The three lion cubs took their first steps outdoors for a practice session to get them ready for their upcoming (soon to be announced!) public debut. And they were in some mighty big company.
At 11 weeks old, the cubs are ready to stretch their legs, and today’s weather was perfect for a quick dip outside.
Up until now, the cubs have been spending their days behind the scenes with mom Adia in a den area where they've had a quiet space to nurse, bond and grow. In recent weeks, the cubs and Adia were joined by dad Xerxes for at least 30 minutes a day. This is especially exciting as the father of Adia's first litter, Hubert, was not around her cubs. (He spent his time with another female, Kalissa. The two have since relocated together to Los Angeles Zoo.) Thankfully Adia's bond is strong with first time dad, Xerxes, and now we have a full pride!
Today marked the first time the pride took their family bonding to the great outdoors.
And, boy, was it amazing to see!
We might call him the king of the African Savanna, but it was pretty clear that Xerxes wasn't running the show. That role goes to Adia, who is a fantastic mom. She shows patience with the kids and keeps them from getting themselves into any danger.
Xerxes is still getting to know the cubs, and he is equal parts curious and cautious around the squirmy, little critters. Adia is remarkably tolerant, but she’ll step in between if she sees rough play or anything else she doesn't like.
It didn't take too long before Xerxes had his fill of the fun and retired to a rock perch to sit back and get away from it all. And lucky for him, the rock was juuuuuuust high enough to be out of reach of the cubs, who jumped their little hearts out trying to get up there!
The cubs had a ball taking in all the wonders before them: Mud! Water! Rocks! Clumps of grass! And, oh, those clumps of grass…they sure did love them. What’s so great about a clump of grass? You can bite it, you can stomp on it, you can crawl through it, and you can spring attack your brothers with it!
Their little outdoor adventure lasted no more than 1 hour and was enough to wipe them out. They’ll be sleeping through the night, that’s for sure!
A few more practice sessions like this as the weather cooperates, and soon the cubs will be ready to officially debut. Please know that because of these intro sessions, we cannot guarantee any viewing hours at the lion exhibit right now, and you may encounter some barriers at the exhibit when space or quiet is needed for the family. Your patience will be greatly rewarded once the family settles in comfortably in the coming weeks. We’ll be sure to share updates when the viewing schedule comes together.
In the meantime, we’ll be looking for your help to name our cubs. Look for an announcement next week!
We leave you with this video of pure joy:
 |
| Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. |
Did you get outside to enjoy the fresh air today? You weren't the only one! The three lion cubs took their first steps outdoors for a practice session to get them ready for their upcoming (soon to be announced!) public debut. And they were in some mighty big company.
 |
| Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. |
At 11 weeks old, the cubs are ready to stretch their legs, and today’s weather was perfect for a quick dip outside.
 |
| Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. |
Up until now, the cubs have been spending their days behind the scenes with mom Adia in a den area where they've had a quiet space to nurse, bond and grow. In recent weeks, the cubs and Adia were joined by dad Xerxes for at least 30 minutes a day. This is especially exciting as the father of Adia's first litter, Hubert, was not around her cubs. (He spent his time with another female, Kalissa. The two have since relocated together to Los Angeles Zoo.) Thankfully Adia's bond is strong with first time dad, Xerxes, and now we have a full pride!
Today marked the first time the pride took their family bonding to the great outdoors.
And, boy, was it amazing to see!
 |
| Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. |
We might call him the king of the African Savanna, but it was pretty clear that Xerxes wasn't running the show. That role goes to Adia, who is a fantastic mom. She shows patience with the kids and keeps them from getting themselves into any danger.
 |
| Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. |
Xerxes is still getting to know the cubs, and he is equal parts curious and cautious around the squirmy, little critters. Adia is remarkably tolerant, but she’ll step in between if she sees rough play or anything else she doesn't like.
 |
| Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. |
It didn't take too long before Xerxes had his fill of the fun and retired to a rock perch to sit back and get away from it all. And lucky for him, the rock was juuuuuuust high enough to be out of reach of the cubs, who jumped their little hearts out trying to get up there!
 |
| Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. |
The cubs had a ball taking in all the wonders before them: Mud! Water! Rocks! Clumps of grass! And, oh, those clumps of grass…they sure did love them. What’s so great about a clump of grass? You can bite it, you can stomp on it, you can crawl through it, and you can spring attack your brothers with it!
 |
| Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. |
Their little outdoor adventure lasted no more than 1 hour and was enough to wipe them out. They’ll be sleeping through the night, that’s for sure!
 |
| Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. |
A few more practice sessions like this as the weather cooperates, and soon the cubs will be ready to officially debut. Please know that because of these intro sessions, we cannot guarantee any viewing hours at the lion exhibit right now, and you may encounter some barriers at the exhibit when space or quiet is needed for the family. Your patience will be greatly rewarded once the family settles in comfortably in the coming weeks. We’ll be sure to share updates when the viewing schedule comes together.
 |
| Photo by Ryan Hawk/Woodland Park Zoo. |
We leave you with this video of pure joy:
Video: Lion cubs explore the great outdoors at Woodland Park Zoo. Video by Kirsten Pisto/Woodland Park Zoo.
Comments
Thank you Woodland Park for sharing!!!
Loved the video! I'm looking forward to seeing the pride in person some time.
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