– When I realized that something was about to happen, I couldn’t get into the car. That’s why I was late for work today, but with good reason, zookeeper Olav Åsland says with a laugh. Åsland was ready at the breakfast table when he pulled out his phone to check the live camera on mother lion Kira. – At around 06:00 the first cubs were born, and three more came later, says Åsland. Tension around the maternal instinct Last Friday, Dyreparken was able to say that Kira was expecting cubs after mating with Mufasa earlier this summer. An X-ray could confirm that at least two lion cubs were expected. The zookeepers had faith in several. Together with colleague and veterinarian Rolf-Arne Ølberg, the two zookeepers are concerned that mother lion Kira will have peace and quiet. Four lion cubs born in Dyreparken in Kristiansand. – There is always a bit of tension linked to how good the lioness’s qualities are as a mother. It is the first time she has children. They don’t always get it right the first time, says Ølberg. So far, all is well with mother and child. – Mother lion Kira is calm and relaxed, and it seems that the cubs can nurse. The most important thing now is that she and the children get as much rest as possible, so that she can take care of the children in the best possible way, says Åsland. Veterinarian Rolf-Arne Ølberg and zookeeper Olav Åsland see the birth as a big event. Photo: Janne Aateigen / news Come to the park this year No lion cubs have been born in the park since 2008. It is not good to know where the new fur babies end up. – The zoo is part of a conservation program for lions. There is a great chance that they will be placed in other parks that are also part of the programme, says Åsland. Both parents, Kira and Mufasa, arrived at Dyreparken earlier this year following a recommendation from the conservation program they are part of. The new lions, who are both three years old, were then introduced as the start of a new lion herd in the park. Kira and Mufasa arrived in Kristiansand earlier this year. Photo: Dyreparken Up to the lioness When the lion cubs will be seen in the park is uncertain. – Now it’s up to Kira to tell us when the public can come. Everything will be on her terms. We will shield them until we are sure that the mother can handle people coming to look, says Ølberg. Facts about lions Species: Panthera leo English: Lion Distribution: Africa and India Habitat: Savannah, open forest landscape, steppe, semi-desert and mountains Food: Animals such as zebra, wildebeest, antelopes and impalas Weight: 120 – 250 kilos Life expectancy: 10 – 20 years Gestation period: 100 – 119 days, approx. 3.5 months Number of cubs: 1 – 6 cubs Status: Vulnerable (IUCN Red List) Source: Dyreparken It is also up to the mother lion when the zookeepers get a closer look at the cubs. – In order to investigate whether it is a boy or a girl child, we have to disconnect the mother, but she must be able to relax by being away from the children. If she is stressed by it, we let her stay with the children longer, because we are in no rush, says Ølberg. Photo: Kristiansand zoo
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– Up to the lioness when the public is allowed to come – news Sørlandet – Local news, TV and radio
