The Pride of the Columbus Zoo Just Got Bigger
Media Alert: Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Powell, OH – Three African lion cubs were born at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium on September 22, 2009. The first arrived about 1:30 PM, the second a half-hour later, and the third cub was born about 8:30 PM. Lion cubs have not been born at the Columbus Zoo since 1985.
These cubs are the first for mother Asali and father Tomo. The pairing of Asali and Tomo was recommended by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan (SSP) for African lions. The AZA, of which the Columbus Zoo is an accredited member, strives to maintain a sustainable population of lions in North America.
Currently there are 349 African lions in 98 institutions in North America. Of those 349 animals only 176 are “pedigreed” meaning lions with known ancestry. The Columbus Zoo lions are one of only 31 pairs of pedigreed lions recommended for breeding by the SSP to maintain genetic diversity.
Once common in Africa, lions recently became a global issue when scientific evidence revealed that lion populations had plummeted by a staggering 50% over the past two decades. Lions are threatened by human population growth and agricultural expansion–which leads to increasing levels of conflict between people and lions.
Through its Conservation Fund, the Columbus Zoo is supporting the work of Shivani Bhalla, a Kenyan Ph.D. student at the University of Oxford. Shivani and her team fit radio-collars on lions in northern Kenya to gather behavioral information critical to formulating a conservation plan. The goal is to encourage a more harmonious co-existence between wildlife and people by reducing the loss of livestock caused by lion attacks and reducing the number of lions killed in the conflicts.
Asali is caring for her babies in a secluded den where they will remain for the next few months and perhaps longer due to cold winter weather. The Zoo will announce viewing information when it becomes available.
Columbus Zoo and Aquarium is open every day of the year 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. from Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, and 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. after Labor Day. General admission is $12 for adults, $7 for children ages 2 to 9 and seniors 60+. Children under 2 and Columbus Zoo members are free. The Zoo was named the #1 Zoo in America by USA Travel Guide and is accredited by the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA.) For more information and to purchase advance Zoo admission tickets, visit www.columbuszoo.org.
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