Darling Downs Zoo welcomes birth of Queensland’s only lion cub, little Caesar

A Queensland zoo was shocked when its middle-aged lioness fell pregnant with its new arrival delivered by an emergency caesarean to become the state’s only baby lion.

Caesar is one of a kind - in Queensland at least.

The tiny 12-week-old cub is the newest attraction at the Darling Downs Zoo and the state’s only baby lion.

In fact, the Pilton zoo is the only place you can see real lions up close in the state.

Zoo owner Stephanie Robinson said the fourth-generation African lion cub came as a complete shock for keepers, as his 13-year-old mother was passed middle age.

“We’d called our male lions duds for years, none of our girls had fallen pregnant,” Mrs Robinson said.

The Darling Downs Zoo’s newest member. Photo: David Martinelli.

“We weren’t sure if she was pregnant or experiencing menopause because we didn’t see her belly wriggling.

“Usually a litter of lions has two or three, but Caesar was uniquely the only one and the 22nd lion we have bred in our 19 years.

“It is such a relief that we now have the next generation,” she said.

Caesar was born on August 7 by an emergency caesarean after his mother had been in labour for two days.

After the procedure, Caesar’s mother was unable to produce milk and the decision was made to hand raise the cub before integrating him back with his parents.

“It’s a very traditional name for a lion and with how his birth went, it is perfect,” Mrs Robinson said.

Caesar is now having mince alongside his milk, playing and working on his roar.

Handler Stephanie Robinson with lion cub Caesar at Darling Downs Zoo. Photo: David Martinelli.

“He roughs and tumbles all over the place, like a big puppy, while playing with his paws like a cat,” Mrs Robinson said.

“We’ve got to stimulate them, so it’s hard work, but he’s a bundle of joy.

“He has quickly reached a healthy 10kg for his age and will soon be able to have supervised visits to see his 180kg mother. We just have to be cautious.

“The plan when he is older is to incorporate him with his family, it will be a slow process.”

Caesar is not yet ready to be on display but will make special appearances each day at 11.05am and 1.20pm.

Originally published as Darling Downs Zoo welcomes birth of Queensland’s only lion cub, little Caesar