![]() ![]() ![]() The Zoo will share viewing information as soon as it becomes available, but in the meantime, the public is encouraged to tune in to the Zoo’s social media channels ( Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter ) for updates. As part of the AZA’s cooperative breeding program, the Zoo started the planning process to bring in new lions even before the passing of longtime beloved lion, Chadwick, in December of 2019.įelicia and the cub will remain behind the scenes for approximately eight weeks before making their official public debut. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA) recommended the pairing of Felicia and Ralph as part of its Species Survival Plan to maintain a sustainable population of lions in North America. This is the first cub for both Felicia (two years old) and Ralph (five years old), who arrived at the Zoo this past May. “As lion populations have been steadily declining in the wild, we’re proud to be a part of the conservation efforts of these majestic animals and to know that these lions are a successful breeding pair.” “We were encouraged from the very beginning to see how quickly and easily Felicia and Ralph bonded, and observed them breeding frequently as soon as they were introduced,” said Barnes. If the hormone levels are still elevated 60-70 days after mating, then the female is confirmed pregnant. Lion pregnancies are only approximately 110 days and although pregnancy can be determined by measuring hormone levels in the female's feces, this is not done until 60 days after mating due to the possibility of a pseudo-pregnancy. The Zoo’s animal care staff were strongly suspicious Felicia was pregnant based on her physicalĬhanges and fecal hormone analysis. This is just the kind of warm and fuzzy news we think everybody can appreciate right now, and we look forward to introducing the new cub to everyone soon!” “I’d like to acknowledge our incredible animal care team who expertly handled the birth and the cub’s critical care needs, and continue to provide around-the-clock care for the cub. President & CEO of the Santa Barbara Zoo. “We’re happy and relieved to know the cub has recovered and is doing well,” shared Rich Block, The cub will remain in the hospital for a little longer and then she will move back to the lion holding area so that she can be in close proximity to her parents, Felicia and Ralph, but will continue to be bottle-fed until she is weaned.” We are very happy to report that the cub has been responding well to treatment and is now successfully nursing from a bottle. “Felicia is a young first-time mother and this situation that has occurred with her cub is not uncommon with inexperienced mothers. Julie Barnes, the Zoo’s Vice President of Animal Care & Health. “The first month of a lion cub’s life is precarious in terms of survival, particularly when born to a first-time mother,” shared Dr. On November 19, the cub became critically ill as she was not getting enough milk from her mother (and became hypothermic and hypoglycemic), so the Zoo’s animal care team made the decision to move her to the veterinary hospital for intensive care, where she has been in the incubator, receiving fluid therapy, and has been learning to nurse formula from a bottle. The Mozilos also sponsor the cub’s parents, Felicia and Ralph. Pauline is a meaningful family name selected by her Premier Foster Feeder sponsors, the Mozilo family. On November 5, the Santa Barbara Zoo ’s African lion, Felicia, gave birth to her first cub, a female named Pauline. ![]()
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