On Tuesday, Oct. 26, the National Zoo's first batch of lion cubs, born to Shera on Aug. 31, took a swim test to prepare them to be in the yard with their mother later this year.
How adorable... I'm sure they won't be even remotely as adorable when they're full grown though... lol "Here kitty kitty... " *ROAWR!!!!!!!!* "Um.. never mind."
@LittoMoonLight: Actually, that's not a swimming pool, it's a moat! The lions' (and the tigers') enclosures are surrounded by a moat. The keepers wanted to make sure the cubs could swim in case any of them end up in the moat when they're outside with their parents later this year. Whether lions enjoy water seems to be a matter of individual preference. Some avoid it, but in the wild some will hunt in water. Also at least one of our lionesses, Shera, has been known to play in the moat.
Btw where are the cubs atm? I have a look at the live cams regularly and have not seen them in days.... Greetings from germany, wish I could come visit once :-)
@bazilisk They don’t have to worry about many of the factors that threaten animals in the wild including predation, habitat loss, hunting and poaching by humans, pollution, disease, and debilitating injuries. Most animals were born in zoos and are either unequipped to survive in the wild or, in many cases, there is not enough wild left for them to return to.
@bazilisk Thank you! :) We can never know what animals are thinking or feeling, and we can never know what an animal would choose if given the choice; we can only do our best to give our animals the best care possible. However, animals in zoos have whole teams of humans to care for them medically, feed them, and protect them from danger.
@robynofrye Keep checking the cams! They're usually on at least one of the cams for a while every day, but the cubs do have free access to several dens without cams.
@iwantjcslips The lion exhibit where the cubs are is surrounded by a moat. We tested their swimming abilities to be sure that, should a cub inadvertently fall in the water, they could swim to the edge and get themselves out. To find out more, see the "Lion Update" section of our website.
@saritalr As one of the oldest Zoos in the United States, the National Zoo is continually evolving and updating all its exhibits as funds and in-kind donations permit. As all accredited Zoos do, we constantly evaluate and review what we can improve and how we can manage all improvements with the current budget we face. We never cut corners on our animals’ health and well-being.
I agree with someone else on here about lions not being known to like water. I'm sure you guys try your best at the zoo to ensure these animals are well taken care of, but this just seems odd. I actually felt sorry for the little guy. I mean, lion cubs aren't exactly drowning like crazy in the wild, so I don't see the need for this test.
@saritalr Much time, research, and management goes into taking the very best care of these animals every day, by dozens of individuals from animal care staff and Zoo veterinarians to Zoo nutritionists.
![BRASIL vs. PERÚ [4-0] | RESUMEN | ELIMINATORIAS SUDAMERICANAS | FECHA 10](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/tbyOJKXfQnI/mqdefault.jpg)
This is GREAT! Yes, the 4th cub a female really liked the water and wanted them to let her stay. Very cute!
They are so adorable! I love their little disapproving faces!
sooooo cute! that last little girl looked like she loved it! i think you got a swimmer on your hands :)
So cute! I can't wait to see the next video on Naba's cubs taking the swim test!
That fourth cub didn't give a damn. WOMAN I WILL SWIM WHEREVER I PLEASE.
How cute!
It's amazing how the fourth cub was so much more brave than her siblings.
How adorable... I'm sure they won't be even remotely as adorable when they're full grown though... lol
"Here kitty kitty... " *ROAWR!!!!!!!!*
"Um.. never mind."
the fourth one!!! aaah wat a fiery female! :):)
@LittoMoonLight: Actually, that's not a swimming pool, it's a moat! The lions' (and the tigers') enclosures are surrounded by a moat. The keepers wanted to make sure the cubs could swim in case any of them end up in the moat when they're outside with their parents later this year.
Whether lions enjoy water seems to be a matter of individual preference. Some avoid it, but in the wild some will hunt in water. Also at least one of our lionesses, Shera, has been known to play in the moat.
They're all, "Hey, man, whatchoo doin' this for?"
Yes,fourth cub is an adventurous one.!!
So cute I could faint!!!
no4 : "No leave me alone I wanna stay in here, it's fuuuuun!" :p
Btw where are the cubs atm? I have a look at the live cams regularly and have not seen them in days....
Greetings from germany, wish I could come visit once :-)
@bazilisk They don’t have to worry about many of the factors that threaten animals in the wild including predation, habitat loss, hunting and poaching by humans, pollution, disease, and debilitating injuries. Most animals were born in zoos and are either unequipped to survive in the wild or, in many cases, there is not enough wild left for them to return to.
Get me out, get me out! I don't like it! ROTFLOL! Too cute!
@bazilisk Thank you! :) We can never know what animals are thinking or feeling, and we can never know what an animal would choose if given the choice; we can only do our best to give our animals the best care possible. However, animals in zoos have whole teams of humans to care for them medically, feed them, and protect them from danger.
@robynofrye Keep checking the cams! They're usually on at least one of the cams for a while every day, but the cubs do have free access to several dens without cams.
Lol. poor kitteh's. Couldn't tell whether the last cub liked the water or couldn't figure out how to get out. I would like to think that she liked it.
TRIUMPHANT VICTORY!!!
@pantherindian @robtfdfvw Yes, indeed that is a leaf! All of our lion cubs are fine.
The third cub seemed to have a cut on its side.
they dont look too thrilled to be dropped in the water
@iwantjcslips The lion exhibit where the cubs are is surrounded by a moat. We tested their swimming abilities to be sure that, should a cub inadvertently fall in the water, they could swim to the edge and get themselves out. To find out more, see the "Lion Update" section of our website.
@robtfdfbvv You mean the red bit you can see when it was getting out? I thought so too at first but I'm pretty sure its a leaf
@saritalr Thank you for comments and know we are always investigating ways to feasibly improve our Zoo for the animals as well as our visitors!
O think the 4th one didn't wanna come out lol
@saritalr As one of the oldest Zoos in the United States, the National Zoo is continually evolving and updating all its exhibits as funds and in-kind donations permit. As all accredited Zoos do, we constantly evaluate and review what we can improve and how we can manage all improvements with the current budget we face. We never cut corners on our animals’ health and well-being.
I agree with someone else on here about lions not being known to like water. I'm sure you guys try your best at the zoo to ensure these animals are well taken care of, but this just seems odd. I actually felt sorry for the little guy. I mean, lion cubs aren't exactly drowning like crazy in the wild, so I don't see the need for this test.
@SmithsonianNZP I think that fourth cub in the video is going to take after mom.
@saritalr Much time, research, and management goes into taking the very best care of these animals every day, by dozens of individuals from animal care staff and Zoo veterinarians to Zoo nutritionists.