(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — A lion cub has been born at the Lincoln Park Zoo — the first such arrival in 20 years.
On Tuesday, 3-year-old African lion Zari gave birth to the cub. The father is a 4-year-old male African lion, Jabari.
It will be awhile before the public gets to see the cub. Animal care staff will monitor its growth and strength. So far, mom Zari is exhibiting signs of being a good mother, zoo officials said.
“First-time mother Zari has been very attentive and is showing the necessary maternal instincts to care for the cub, including nursing and grooming,” Curator of Mammals Mike Murray said in a news release. “With all births at the zoo, especially with a first-time mom, we remain cautiously optimistic and hope the cub will continue to pass critical milestones.”
It’s too early to determine the gender of the cub. African lions are large predators that can weigh up to 500 pounds.
Lincoln Park Zoo last fall opened its revamped lion habitat, part of the Pepper Family Wildlife Center. The complex separately houses red pandas, Canada lynx and two snow leopards.
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