Detroit Zoo celebrates its first lion born in 40 years

ROYAL OAK, Mich. – The Detroit Zoo announced on Tuesday that its first lion born at the zoo in 40 years has arrived on September 10, 2020.

The lion is called Binti, which means “daughter” in Swahili, said the Detroit Zoological Society (DZS). She is the first lion born at the Detroit Zoo in 1980. Her mother, 4-year-old lioness Asha, underwent a caesarean section after being seen entering labor naturally, but failed to give birth. Unfortunately, three more chicks were still born, zoo officials said.

“She has grown so much, has a lot of energy and is very curious and playful,” said Elizabeth Arbaugh, DZS mammal curator. “She is learning to live with other lions, starting with her aunt, Amirah. We expect her to eventually live with her entire family as a proud member of the Detroit Zoo. “

Here is the back story of Binti’s family for the Detroit Zoo:

Asha and her sister, Amirah, came to the Detroit Zoo from Buffalo Zoo in May 2019 as part of the Zoos and Aquariums Association (AZA) Species Survival Program (SSP). SSPs are cooperative breeding programs to ensure genetically healthy, diverse and self-sufficient populations of endangered and endangered species in AZA-accredited zoos.

Binti’s father, Simba, lived with his royal family in Qatar and found a sanctuary at the Detroit Zoo in 2013, when his owners voluntarily abandoned him. Private ownership of lions, tigers and other large cats is extremely dangerous to humans and often compromises animal welfare. DZS has contributed to the development and advancement of the recently introduced Federal Big Cat Public Safety Act, which is a major effort to reduce the U.S. problem.

The smallest cat at the Detroit Zoo was under the constant care of DZS staff for the first few weeks of her life, when she lived in an incubator and was bottle-fed daily from 6 a.m. to midnight. To prepare Binti for life with her future pride, the sounds and recorded scents of adult lions were introduced into her incubator. As she grew stronger, she graduated to a larger play pen and switched from milk to solid foods. Eventually, Binti began to spend time in the lion’s habitat, next to the adult lions. The gradual process of introduction into her family continues with visual interactions – not physical; the lions could see, hear and smell each other, but they did not share the same space.

Asha’s surgery and recovery meant that the normal binding process could not take place. Socialization, especially with other female lions, is essential for Binti’s social development; Fortunately, the baby formed a strong bond with her aunt, Amirah. Lions are the only large cats that live in social groups that include adult males, multiple females, and their offspring.

The Detroit Zoo says its lion habitat features grassy terrain, a shallow pool, high edges that give lions high vantage points from which to watch guests, and a 17-foot-high acrylic wall for close-up views of lions to guests. The warming rocks at the front of the habitat provide the lions with resting areas fried in colder weather.

Lions are normally seen outside, unless temperatures are below freezing, zoo officials said. Binti will be able to enter the lion’s habitat building on cold days, so it may not be visible to guests when temperatures are below 40 degrees, zoo officials said.

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More: News from the Detroit Zoo