Lions Celebrate Their First Birthdays at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Some cool animal pound images:

Lions Celebrate Their First Birthdays at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Image by Smithsonian's National Zoo
Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

On Sept. 16, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s seven lion cubs celebrated their birthdays at the Great Cats Exhibit.

Keepers created seven gift boxes (one for each cub) that were gift-wrapped with approved paper products and held together with a “paste” made of flower and water. Inside each box was an individual-sized frozen treat made of ice (water), shaved beef and a piece of oxtail.

The Zoo’s Nutrition department created a bloodcicle cake in the shape of the number “1.” The cake weighed about 50 pounds, and was composed of ice (water), two whole cow femurs cut in half, 5 pounds of shaved beef and a half-gallon of cow blood.

The Zoo’s seven lion cubs were born to two mothers. All seven cubs were sired by Luke. Shera gave birth on Aug. 31, 2010 to four cubs: John, Lelie, Fahari and Zuri. Nababiep gave birth on Sept. 22, 2010 to three cubs: Baruti, Aslan and Lusaka.

The Zoo’s lion cubs are genetically valuable in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for African lions. An SSP matches individual animals across the country for breeding in order to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse and self-sustaining population. They are the first surviving cubs born at the Zoo in 22 years.

Luke, Naba and Shera came to the National Zoo in 2006 from South Africa specifically for the purpose of breeding and introducing new genes into the existing U.S. captive population.

Lions Celebrate Their First Birthdays at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Image by Smithsonian's National Zoo
Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

On Sept. 16, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s seven lion cubs celebrated their birthdays at the Great Cats Exhibit.

Keepers created seven gift boxes (one for each cub) that were gift-wrapped with approved paper products and held together with a “paste” made of flower and water. Inside each box was an individual-sized frozen treat made of ice (water), shaved beef and a piece of oxtail.

The Zoo’s Nutrition department created a bloodcicle cake in the shape of the number “1.” The cake weighed about 50 pounds, and was composed of ice (water), two whole cow femurs cut in half, 5 pounds of shaved beef and a half-gallon of cow blood.

The Zoo’s seven lion cubs were born to two mothers. All seven cubs were sired by Luke. Shera gave birth on Aug. 31, 2010 to four cubs: John, Lelie, Fahari and Zuri. Nababiep gave birth on Sept. 22, 2010 to three cubs: Baruti, Aslan and Lusaka.

The Zoo’s lion cubs are genetically valuable in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for African lions. An SSP matches individual animals across the country for breeding in order to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse and self-sustaining population. They are the first surviving cubs born at the Zoo in 22 years.

Luke, Naba and Shera came to the National Zoo in 2006 from South Africa specifically for the purpose of breeding and introducing new genes into the existing U.S. captive population.

Lions Celebrate Their First Birthdays at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Image by Smithsonian's National Zoo
Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

On Sept. 16, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s seven lion cubs celebrated their birthdays at the Great Cats Exhibit.

Keepers created seven gift boxes (one for each cub) that were gift-wrapped with approved paper products and held together with a “paste” made of flower and water. Inside each box was an individual-sized frozen treat made of ice (water), shaved beef and a piece of oxtail.

The Zoo’s Nutrition department created a bloodcicle cake in the shape of the number “1.” The cake weighed about 50 pounds, and was composed of ice (water), two whole cow femurs cut in half, 5 pounds of shaved beef and a half-gallon of cow blood.

The Zoo’s seven lion cubs were born to two mothers. All seven cubs were sired by Luke. Shera gave birth on Aug. 31, 2010 to four cubs: John, Lelie, Fahari and Zuri. Nababiep gave birth on Sept. 22, 2010 to three cubs: Baruti, Aslan and Lusaka.

The Zoo’s lion cubs are genetically valuable in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for African lions. An SSP matches individual animals across the country for breeding in order to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse and self-sustaining population. They are the first surviving cubs born at the Zoo in 22 years.

Luke, Naba and Shera came to the National Zoo in 2006 from South Africa specifically for the purpose of breeding and introducing new genes into the existing U.S. captive population.

Lions Celebrate Their First Birthdays at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Check out these animal pound images:

Lions Celebrate Their First Birthdays at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Image by Smithsonian's National Zoo
Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

On Sept. 16, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s seven lion cubs celebrated their birthdays at the Great Cats Exhibit.

Keepers created seven gift boxes (one for each cub) that were gift-wrapped with approved paper products and held together with a “paste” made of flower and water. Inside each box was an individual-sized frozen treat made of ice (water), shaved beef and a piece of oxtail.

The Zoo’s Nutrition department created a bloodcicle cake in the shape of the number “1.” The cake weighed about 50 pounds, and was composed of ice (water), two whole cow femurs cut in half, 5 pounds of shaved beef and a half-gallon of cow blood.

The Zoo’s seven lion cubs were born to two mothers. All seven cubs were sired by Luke. Shera gave birth on Aug. 31, 2010 to four cubs: John, Lelie, Fahari and Zuri. Nababiep gave birth on Sept. 22, 2010 to three cubs: Baruti, Aslan and Lusaka.

The Zoo’s lion cubs are genetically valuable in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for African lions. An SSP matches individual animals across the country for breeding in order to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse and self-sustaining population. They are the first surviving cubs born at the Zoo in 22 years.

Luke, Naba and Shera came to the National Zoo in 2006 from South Africa specifically for the purpose of breeding and introducing new genes into the existing U.S. captive population.

Lions Celebrate Their First Birthdays at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Image by Smithsonian's National Zoo
Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

On Sept. 16, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s seven lion cubs celebrated their birthdays at the Great Cats Exhibit.

Keepers created seven gift boxes (one for each cub) that were gift-wrapped with approved paper products and held together with a “paste” made of flower and water. Inside each box was an individual-sized frozen treat made of ice (water), shaved beef and a piece of oxtail.

The Zoo’s Nutrition department created a bloodcicle cake in the shape of the number “1.” The cake weighed about 50 pounds, and was composed of ice (water), two whole cow femurs cut in half, 5 pounds of shaved beef and a half-gallon of cow blood.

The Zoo’s seven lion cubs were born to two mothers. All seven cubs were sired by Luke. Shera gave birth on Aug. 31, 2010 to four cubs: John, Lelie, Fahari and Zuri. Nababiep gave birth on Sept. 22, 2010 to three cubs: Baruti, Aslan and Lusaka.

The Zoo’s lion cubs are genetically valuable in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for African lions. An SSP matches individual animals across the country for breeding in order to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse and self-sustaining population. They are the first surviving cubs born at the Zoo in 22 years.

Luke, Naba and Shera came to the National Zoo in 2006 from South Africa specifically for the purpose of breeding and introducing new genes into the existing U.S. captive population.

Lions Celebrate Their First Birthdays at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Image by Smithsonian's National Zoo
Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

On Sept. 16, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s seven lion cubs celebrated their birthdays at the Great Cats Exhibit.

Keepers created seven gift boxes (one for each cub) that were gift-wrapped with approved paper products and held together with a “paste” made of flower and water. Inside each box was an individual-sized frozen treat made of ice (water), shaved beef and a piece of oxtail.

The Zoo’s Nutrition department created a bloodcicle cake in the shape of the number “1.” The cake weighed about 50 pounds, and was composed of ice (water), two whole cow femurs cut in half, 5 pounds of shaved beef and a half-gallon of cow blood.

The Zoo’s seven lion cubs were born to two mothers. All seven cubs were sired by Luke. Shera gave birth on Aug. 31, 2010 to four cubs: John, Lelie, Fahari and Zuri. Nababiep gave birth on Sept. 22, 2010 to three cubs: Baruti, Aslan and Lusaka.

The Zoo’s lion cubs are genetically valuable in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for African lions. An SSP matches individual animals across the country for breeding in order to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse and self-sustaining population. They are the first surviving cubs born at the Zoo in 22 years.

Luke, Naba and Shera came to the National Zoo in 2006 from South Africa specifically for the purpose of breeding and introducing new genes into the existing U.S. captive population.

We were here first!

Some cool animals facts images:

We were here first!

Image by beingmyself
The Giant Panda is one of the most misunderstood animals on the planet. For many years, it was believed to be a type of racoon, like the similarly named red panda. However, genetics testing and observation have revealed that the panda is in fact, a bear. It has several adaptations that make it unusual. First is the fact that it has six digits on the front paws, giving it an opposable thumb ideal for holding onto the stalks of bamboo which it consumes in great amounts. The genitalia of the male are rear-pointing and small which is also decidedly unbearish, and much more like those of the red panda. It has only been since 1995 that the Panda has been officially considered a bear.
Typical pandas have a large head, and distinct white and black coloration which contrasts sharply with the deep green of their natural habitat. Pandas can only be found in six tiny regions in southwest China. These places are along the Tibetan plateau in Sichuan, Gansu, and Shaanzi provinces. Combined, these areas are less than 5,400 square miles of very high altitude (4,000-11,500 ft.) mountain forests grown thick with patches of more than 30 species of bamboo. The bears themselves have home ranges from 1.8 to 3.3 square miles. The territories of the males often overlap those of a number of females.
Newborn pandas weigh between 3 and 5 ounces. Males grow to 190-275 pounds and 64-76 inches in length, with females being slightly smaller and lighter at 155-220 pounds. They reach sexual maturity between ages 4 1/2 to 6 1/2 years and mate once during the spring months of March, April, and May. The females are in estrus for anywhere from 1 to 3 weeks, but are only really receptive for a few days of that time. During August and September, pregnant females give birth to anywhere from one to three cubs, with one being the more common. The cubs are weaned at nine months, but often stay with their mothers for more than two years.
Like most bears, pandas are solitary animals. Females with cubs being the only exception. They mark their territories by scratching trees and by rubbing a musky anogenital gland against rocks and trees. Additionally, they communicate with different vocalizations. Scientists have identified 11 distince calls, but cannot identify the exact function of all of them.
Pandas are quite vegitarian, making bamboo 99% of their diet. Adults can eat anywhere between 26 and 33 pounds of it in a day, and with soft new shoots up to 84 pounds! Incredibly, that's almost 40% of their body weight! Ocassionally they consume meat and some other plants.

Wee!

Image by Anomalily
This looks like gravel, but it is in fact very soft animal-bedding-esque-stuff. And very fun to climb up.

Lions Celebrate Their First Birthdays at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

A few nice animal pound images I found:

Lions Celebrate Their First Birthdays at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Image by Smithsonian's National Zoo
Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

On Sept. 16, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s seven lion cubs celebrated their birthdays at the Great Cats Exhibit.

Keepers created seven gift boxes (one for each cub) that were gift-wrapped with approved paper products and held together with a “paste” made of flower and water. Inside each box was an individual-sized frozen treat made of ice (water), shaved beef and a piece of oxtail.

The Zoo’s Nutrition department created a bloodcicle cake in the shape of the number “1.” The cake weighed about 50 pounds, and was composed of ice (water), two whole cow femurs cut in half, 5 pounds of shaved beef and a half-gallon of cow blood.

The Zoo’s seven lion cubs were born to two mothers. All seven cubs were sired by Luke. Shera gave birth on Aug. 31, 2010 to four cubs: John, Lelie, Fahari and Zuri. Nababiep gave birth on Sept. 22, 2010 to three cubs: Baruti, Aslan and Lusaka.

The Zoo’s lion cubs are genetically valuable in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for African lions. An SSP matches individual animals across the country for breeding in order to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse and self-sustaining population. They are the first surviving cubs born at the Zoo in 22 years.

Luke, Naba and Shera came to the National Zoo in 2006 from South Africa specifically for the purpose of breeding and introducing new genes into the existing U.S. captive population.

Lions Celebrate Their First Birthdays at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Image by Smithsonian's National Zoo
Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

On Sept. 16, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s seven lion cubs celebrated their birthdays at the Great Cats Exhibit.

Keepers created seven gift boxes (one for each cub) that were gift-wrapped with approved paper products and held together with a “paste” made of flower and water. Inside each box was an individual-sized frozen treat made of ice (water), shaved beef and a piece of oxtail.

The Zoo’s Nutrition department created a bloodcicle cake in the shape of the number “1.” The cake weighed about 50 pounds, and was composed of ice (water), two whole cow femurs cut in half, 5 pounds of shaved beef and a half-gallon of cow blood.

The Zoo’s seven lion cubs were born to two mothers. All seven cubs were sired by Luke. Shera gave birth on Aug. 31, 2010 to four cubs: John, Lelie, Fahari and Zuri. Nababiep gave birth on Sept. 22, 2010 to three cubs: Baruti, Aslan and Lusaka.

The Zoo’s lion cubs are genetically valuable in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for African lions. An SSP matches individual animals across the country for breeding in order to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse and self-sustaining population. They are the first surviving cubs born at the Zoo in 22 years.

Luke, Naba and Shera came to the National Zoo in 2006 from South Africa specifically for the purpose of breeding and introducing new genes into the existing U.S. captive population.

Lions Celebrate Their First Birthdays at the Smithsonian's National Zoo

Image by Smithsonian's National Zoo
Photo Credit: Mehgan Murphy, Smithsonian’s National Zoo

On Sept. 16, the Smithsonian’s National Zoo’s seven lion cubs celebrated their birthdays at the Great Cats Exhibit.

Keepers created seven gift boxes (one for each cub) that were gift-wrapped with approved paper products and held together with a “paste” made of flower and water. Inside each box was an individual-sized frozen treat made of ice (water), shaved beef and a piece of oxtail.

The Zoo’s Nutrition department created a bloodcicle cake in the shape of the number “1.” The cake weighed about 50 pounds, and was composed of ice (water), two whole cow femurs cut in half, 5 pounds of shaved beef and a half-gallon of cow blood.

The Zoo’s seven lion cubs were born to two mothers. All seven cubs were sired by Luke. Shera gave birth on Aug. 31, 2010 to four cubs: John, Lelie, Fahari and Zuri. Nababiep gave birth on Sept. 22, 2010 to three cubs: Baruti, Aslan and Lusaka.

The Zoo’s lion cubs are genetically valuable in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for African lions. An SSP matches individual animals across the country for breeding in order to maintain a healthy, genetically diverse and self-sustaining population. They are the first surviving cubs born at the Zoo in 22 years.

Luke, Naba and Shera came to the National Zoo in 2006 from South Africa specifically for the purpose of breeding and introducing new genes into the existing U.S. captive population.