Photo by National Zoo.
It’s going to be a very cute year: The National Zoo has welcomed four more lion cubs on top of the two born in late January.
The cubs were born to African lion nine-year-old Shera on March 2, according to a release. They’re her second litter with nine-year-old Luke, who also sired Nababiep’s two cubs.
Animal care staff watched Shera give birth via a closed-circuit webcam and continue to monitor the family. The first cub was born at 8:27 a.m. and appeared active and healthy. At 9:03 a.m., Shera delivered her second mobile cub. The third cub was born at 11:09 a.m. and the fourth at 3:17 p.m. The Zoo’s animal care team has been closely observing the family throughout Sunday and Monday’s snowstorm. All four cubs appear to be nursing, moving and vocalizing well.
These four cubs will go on exhibit in early summer, while the other two will go on exhibit this spring. But there’s always the lion cam.