COLUMBUS – The maternity ward at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium has been a busy place as a second litter of lion cubs has arrived mere days after the first.
Officials say eight-year-old African lioness Kazi gave birth to three cubs between 9:30 a.m. and 2 p.m. Thursday. Two of the cubs appeared to be in great health and quickly began nursing but a spokeswoman says the third appeared weak at birth and died less than 48 hours later.
“We are always cautiously optimistic with newborns. Because Kazi is a first-time mother, the risk was even greater. She and the surviving cubs are thriving, however, and we hope they continue to bond during this fragile time,” Adam Felts, curator at the zoo’s Heart of Africa, said.
Kazi’s cubs were born in an indoor den about a week after her pregnancy was announced. The gender of the cubs is not yet known, zoo officials said.
Kazi’s half-sister, Asali (above), gave birth to four healthy cubs on Aug. 16