It’s not every day you turn one.
Lion cubs Kito, Kashka and Kubwa celebrated their first birthday at Werribee Open Range Zoo last Thursday, each getting their own custom-made cardboard birthday cakes with rhino poo – a cub delicacy.
The birthday is an important milestone for the youngsters, who were the first lions to be born at the zoo.
The cubs spent their first two months of life in a special nesting den with mum, Nilo, while keepers closely monitored their development via a video camera link.
Keeper Katherine Quinn said, at 12 months, the cubs now weigh about 80kg, and their personalities are starting to emerge.
“Kito is very confident and curious, while for Kashka, it’s all about mealtimes, and he is often spotted sneaking food from mum,” Ms Quinn said.
“Kubwa is a little more cautious than his brothers, taking his time to figure things out.”
