Monday was an exciting day for Zoo Atlanta. The weather was warm enough for all the animals to come out and play. Monday was the first day Kiki's cubs were allowed on exhibited. She has three boys and one girl cub.
Kiki and her mate, 9-year-old Kamau, have produced one previous litter. Born in 2008, males Christos, Mikalos and Athanaisi now reside at Africam Safari in Puebla, Mexico. Lion gestation averages three to four months, and litter size is usually one to five cubs. The cubs, which are born blind and entirely dependent on their mothers for care and protection, usually stay with their mothers for around 18 months. Kiki’s cubs will join a bumper crop of 2013 babies, including the first rhino calf ever born in the Zoo’s 124-year history; two infant gorillas; two infant orangutans; and Mei Lun and Mei Huan, the twin giant pandas born to Lun Lun in July 2013. All but the panda cubs, expected to make their debut later this fall, are on exhibit now with their mothers.
Panda babies are traditionally named on their 100th day birthday. Zoo Atlanta's Pandas are no exception. Five name combinations have been selected and the public has the opportunity though the ZooAtlanta.org website to vote for their favorite. RMS 7th graders are excited because our annual zoo field trip coincides with the naming day, of October 23rd. Five sets of Chinese names and meanings have been selected by Zoo Atlanta colleagues at the Chengdu Research Base of Giant Panda Breeding in China. The contenders are as follows:
*****Visit http://www.zooatlanta.org/home/article_content/cub_voting_begins for your opportunity to vote |
Ms. FryeI volunteer at Zoo Atlanta as often as possible. I will post fun updates and information periodically for you to enjoy. Archives
February 2014
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