Meet our resilient lion cubs and their inspiring journey
As we celebrate World Lion Day today, the National Zoological Garden (NZG) is proud to introduce three resilient lionesses who have overcome adversity to find a safe haven in our care. Confiscated by law enforcement authorities as cubs and brought to the NZG, Xena, Sora, and Venus have grown into strong and spirited young lions, now thriving in their new mountain enclosure.
Known as the “Kings of the Jungle,” lions are one of the most recognisable and admired animals in the world. These powerful big cats are the only ones that live in social groups called prides, typically consisting of related females, their offspring, and a few adult males. Indigenous to Africa, lions have long captivated people with their strength, beauty, and complex social behaviours.
Meet the Lionesses
- Xena (warrior princess), born on 7 November 2022, Xena was rescued at just 3.5 weeks old, weighing 4kg. Today, she stands as a symbol of resilience, having received her first vaccine on 15 December 2022 when she weighed 6.30kg.
- Sora (sky), born on 2 November 2022, was also saved from the black market at 4 weeks old, weighing 4.26kg. By mid-December, she had grown to 6.56kg and continues to thrive alongside her pride.
- Venus (goddess of love and beauty), Sora’s sister, shares the same birthdate and was rescued alongside her. At 4 weeks old, she weighed 4kg, and by 20 December 2022, her weight had increased to 6.84kg.
The young lions have just moved to our large mountain enclosure, which is almost a hectare in size. This bigger space gives them plenty of room to explore and play. The NZG team has worked hard to keep them active and engaged, using things like hanging tires, feathers, and even elephant dung for enrichment.
To commemorate World Lion Day, the NZG has planned special enrichment activities. Visitors will have the rare opportunity to witness the lions in action during their feeding time at 14:30.
World Lion Day is a global event dedicated to the conservation of lions and their habitats. It is a day to raise awareness about the critical role lions play in maintaining the balance of ecosystems and the urgent need to protect these magnificent creatures.
