The First Cub for the Lion City Born by Assisted Reproduction

African lions in the wild have an average lifespan of 10-14 years. Mufasa lived to the ripe old age of 20 but did not sire any cubs in his lifetime because of his aggressive behaviour which did not bring about successful pairings with any female. Yet his genes would be of high value in contributing to the genetic diversity and sustainability of African lion populations in zoological institutions. This species is listed as ‘vulnerable’ under the IUCN* Red List of Threatened Species.

Thanks to advancements in assisted reproductive technology, Singapore Zoo’s animal care team was able to harness artificial insemination as a means of preserving Mufasa’s bloodline. Lioness Kayla was identified as an ideal candidate for the assisted pregnancy as she was a proven breeder.

The momentous yet dramatic start to life was not all for Simba and his animal care team. In his first month, he developed well under Kayla’s watchful eye, but things started to change. Keepers found him to be lethargic and having a challenging time suckling. Observations suggested that Kayla was possibly suffering from inflammation of her mammary glands. After careful deliberation, the decision was made by the animal care team to supplement the young cub’s nutrition. This means that while Kayla would be allowed to continue to care for Simba, the keepers would intervene and supplement his nutrition with bottle feeding. “It was a delicate decision because animals can reject their young following temporary separation”, explains Kughan Krishnan, Head Keeper, Carnivores. “Thankfully, Kayla was accepting of the intervention which reflects the trust relationship built up over time between the lioness and her animal care team, that helped to achieve the positive outcome.”

Kayla continues to exhibit excellent maternal instincts and Simba has progressed by leaps and bounds. She is protective of her cub and is often observed to be playing with him and sharing her feed with her little one who continues tailing his mother wherever she roams.

Three months on, Simba is growing up to be a healthy and inquisitive little lion. He has started to enjoy small amounts of raw meat together with his milk and spends most of his day playing with enrichment devices prepared by his keepers to nurture his development. His current favourite is a rattan ball which he likes to tussle with. As his features start to develop, it is evident that Mufasa lives in him as they share the same beautiful eyes. Currently, mother and son are housed in an off-exhibit area to give them room to further strengthen their bond privately. Gradually, he will be introduced to the rest of his family—his half-sister Shani and his aunt Kiara.

* International Union for the Conservation of Nature