Rare first view of mother lion protecting cubs. The first time the lion cubs were on public display. The cubs are adorable and extra cute.
Video also shows rare view of maternal behavior and of lioness vocalization. The lioness was very protective of the cubs. At least three times she lunged at people. She sprang across the enclosure at a photographer and scarred him and lunged at least twice at zookeepers. She also showed stalking behavior.
She was extremely vocal spending much time talking to the cubs. This included a large number of sounds including growls, roars, and short barking sounds. The cubs were vocal also. They watched the lioness closely and imitated her behavior. They could lunge, spring, attack, and stalk. Although the roar of the male is well-known and fearsome; it is little known that the lioness has a large repertoire of sounds.
The lioness was very alert. She noticed the CBS mobile unit, which filmed the occasion for TV, as different from normal traffic and watched it intently. Several zookeepers, she knew, escorted the unit out.
The 3 cubs were born September 22 and the first litter for mother, Asali, and father, Tomo. They are the first born at the Columbus Zoo in 24 years. The Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Plan (SSP) for African lions recommended this mating.
Only 349 African lions exist in 98 North American institutions. The Columbus Zoo lions are one of only 31 pairs of pedigreed lions recommended for breeding by SSP. Africa lions recently are a global issue because populations have plummeted by around 50% in around 20 years.
Video also shows a comparison roar from a male white lion. White lions are extremely rare. The total number of white lions is unknown but the most recent count, in 2004, showed that only 30 were alive. White lions are Endangered. The one shown is one of Siegfried and Roys White Lions of Timbavati. Of only 30 white lions in the world, around seven are found in Ohio and this one is at the Cincinnati Zoo.
**** The Lion (Panthera leo) is one of the four big cats and a member of the family Felidae. Some males can exceed 550 lb. Wild lions exist in Sub-Saharan Africa and a critically endangered remnant population lives in northwest India. Until about 10,000 years ago, the lion was the most widespread large land mammal after humans. Visually, the male lion is distinctive and is easily recognized by its mane. The face of the male, is one of the most widely recognized animal symbols in human culture as is its roar. The lion's name is so old that it is similar in many languages. It derives from the Latin leo of the Ancient Greek, λέων, (leon). The Hebrew לָבִיא (lavi) probably is also be related as well as the Ancient Egyptian rw. The words royal, rull, and regal are also likely related.
http://www.youtube.com/user/IrenaScott#p/u/18/ZPS0TQaHUtE
Huge Roaring Lion Spray Attack Big Cats Tiger Leopard Jaguar
Shows the lions parents
http://www.youtube.com/user/IrenaScott#p/u/16/lGeMddnFoTA
White Lions & Tigers Rare Fight Attack Roar Stalk Play
Shows a comparison roar from a male white lion.
i love how the entire time of them filming the mother the cubs are always play fighting
EmLovescrazy 2 weeks ago
To quote Molly Weasley "Not my daughter you b****!"
DementedXShenzi 4 months ago 2
@mostlylogical the road is right behind the cage thingie they are in..its sad they have to endure that
CellophaneHeart 8 months ago
i'm so sorry for that lions.it sounds there is a major road nearby. it must be painful to have to hear that car noises.
mostlylogical 8 months ago
lol badass scratching post at 1:10
Aspire198 10 months ago
@Xtraudinair nope,she wasnt but she went hard though
CaramelMamiChula 11 months ago
Sad. Even worse she had three cubs and a cage such as this will be there future as well.
grrngirl 1 year ago
i want one
philly1537 1 year ago
She was NOT playin hahaha
Xtraudinair 2 years ago
Shit, those damn cubs are freaking cute.
dobbins2550 2 years ago