Welcome our new litter of lion cubs! African lioness Kiki gave birth to her first litter of cubs on May 31. Animal Management staff continues to monitor Kiki and cubs closely; so far, the 4-year-old lioness appears to be taking excellent care of her three new arrivals, estimated to have been between 3 and 5 pounds at birth. The cubs are the first African lions born at Zoo Atlanta in over 10 years.

Zoo Atlanta’s lions enjoy a naturalistic habitat simulating their native east Africa. High atop rocky outcroppings, these majestic big cats have a sweeping view of elephants, rhinos, giraffe, zebra and other animals sharing the African Plains in neighboring habitats.

Unlike other cats, lions are social, residing in prides of four to 40 animals. Prides typically consist of one or more adult males and two or more related females and their offspring. While males play protective roles in these social systems, lionesses form the cores of lion prides, initiating more than 85 percent of hunts.

Through participation in the Association of Zoos and Aquarium’s (AZA) Lion Species Survival Plan (SSP), Zoo Atlanta seeks to contribute to the management of a self-sustaining, genetically diverse captive population.