New lion cubs are pride and joy of Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo
They’ve spent months familiarising themselves with their new family behind the scenes, now Dubbo’s newest lion cubs have taken pride of place on public display. See the pictures here.
NSW
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They’ve spent months familiarising themselves with their new family behind the scenes, but Dubbo’s newest lion cubs have now taken pride of place on public display.
The yet-to-be-named trio, born to mother Marion and father Lwazi, are out roaming the nine-and-a-half-acre exhibit 11 lions call home at Taronga Western Plains Zoo.
Lion keeper Kirsty Payne said the cubs each had their “own little personalities”.
“We call one of our girls the ‘little sass queen’ because she’s quite vocal,” Ms Payne said.
“We give them these little balls to play with and another one of the girls is just obsessed with hers.
“It’s really cool to see their little personalities come out because we work in such close proximity with them.
“It’s also such a privilege to be able to work with a beautiful apex predator.”
Ms Payne said the cubs - one brother and two sisters - were getting along well with the rest of the pride.
“There’s been no worries at all,” she said.
“Marion is a really good mum. They all get along really well, they’re super confident and they go out on exhibit no worries.
“(The cubs) are really confident and they love their older siblings, their sisters in particular - and their sisters really love them.
“They’re still staying fairly close to mum. Wherever she goes, they’re not far behind.
“Occasionally though, one will go off to play with a sibling or jump on dad’s back, but they’re slowly gaining independence.”
The cubs can be seen between 10.30am and 3pm at the smaller of the zoo’s “Prideland” exhibits.
Originally published as New lion cubs are pride and joy of Taronga Western Plains Zoo at Dubbo
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