Philadelphia Zoo Announces Birth of Four Lion Cubs

Four new animals now call the Philadelphia Zoo home. 

Four African lion cubs were born to Tajiri, the zoo’s 4-year-old female, on June 26, the Philadelphia Zoo announced Monday. This is the first litter for Tajiri and 6-year-old male Makini and the first lion cubs born at the Philadelphia Zoo since 1996.

“We’re very excited to welcome Tajiri’s new cubs, the first lions born at Philadelphia Zoo in 18 years,” said Kevin Murphy, Philadelphia Zoo’s General Curator. This birth, Tajiri’s first, is a significant contribution to the lion population in the U.S., and we are cautiously optimistic as Tajiri continues to be a fantastic mother.”

The birth of the cubs coincides with the Philadelphia Zoo’s “Year of the Big Cat,” which launched in May 2014 with the opening of Big Cat Crossing.