The National Zoo & Aquarium just got louder, with the arrival of two tawny lions. Mlinzi and Nairibi have been getting to know each other and their new home for the past few months and were welcomed into the Zoo’s public-facing enclosure from Christmas Eve.
The pair have come to Canberra as part of the Australasian lion breeding program, with hopes they will get on well enough to have cubs of their own.
Paul Whitehorn, National Zoo & Aquarium general manager of Wildlife and Operations, says the lions would have been selected for genetic pairing long before their arrival at the Zoo.
Born at Monarto Safari Park in South Australia, 10-year-old male, Mlinzi, made his way from Taronga Western Plains Zoo in Dubbo where he had lived for the previous three years. Meanwhile, 11-year-old lioness Nairibi was born in Denmark, coming to Australia in 2014 and residing at Werribee Open Range Zoo in Victoria where she successfully had cubs.
“We’re really looking forward to that process and seeing and watching them have a family,” Mr Whitehorn says.
The new love birds are proving to be a good match, having already had some National Geographic moments, Mr Whitehorn says. He says the whole team is excited to welcome new cubs to the zoo. The last time they successfully bred lions in Canberra was 19 years ago. Those cubs have recently been moved to retirement on the zoo grounds, where they can spend their golden years living a life of luxury away from the public.
The team’s focus is to ensure that the future mum is comfortable to have cubs in her new home. Mr Whitehorn, who has 35 years of experience working with big cats, says they have been spending a lot of time with the lioness to ease any anxieties she may have.
“She needs to be comfortable with her surroundings so that she knows it’s nice and safe to have cubs,” he says.
Mlinzi is doing his part to help his new mate feel comfortable by trying to show his new neighbour – Jake, a white lion – who is boss. Tawny lions are territorial animals so Mlinzi can be found knocking at the adjoining fence and roaring, which Mr Whitehorn says is part of the teething process.
“He wants to show that he can protect his girl. There’s nothing to protect her from; Jake’s a big softy. But at the end of the day, it’s just meeting the neighbours, it’s having a chat over the back fence, just like you would, you know, when you move in somewhere new.”
Mr Whitehead says although Mlinzi acts like the original tough guy, the more they are getting to know him they are seeing that he is a sweet boy. His favourite place to be is with his soft fluffy pillows, getting upset if they are moved.
Visit Mlinzi and Nairibi at the National Zoo & Aquarium open 7 days; nationalzoo.com.au
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