By Esther Lauaki
Lion cub siblings Ilola, Asali, Ato and Lwazi marked their second birthday with a winter party at Werribee Open Range Zoo.
The cubs explored their birthday activities, tearing apart a collection of animal-friendly papier-mache igloos and snowflakes created by volunteers.
The two male and two female cubs shared the festivities with mum Nilo, aunt Nairibi, and step sisters Kibibi and Aziza. After the excitement they took a nap, still holding their much-loved presents.
Keeper Christina Speckamp said it was a fantastic activity for the lions to explore as a pride, especially for the cubs who are still learning how to share.
“They have wonderful older sisters who are teaching them the ways of the world.”
Exploring new objects is an important way for the lion pride to practise lion etiquette – an important skill for the social species, Ms Speckamp said.
The species is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN red list, with an overall population decrease of 43 per cent over the past 20 years.
