Lions live in social groups known as prides, made up of one or more mature males, several closely-related females and their young. Males roar and spray urine to advertise their territory to rivals. Females work in teams to take down prey, encircling the prey and blocking escape routes. The lionesses do most of the hunting but the dominant male gets the lion’s share. Only after he’s had his fill do the females have their turn. The young can only pick at the remains.
The mane concern
The only cat to sport one, the mane is believed to protect the lion’s throat from the bites of other males during territorial fights. Females prefer males with prominent dark manes, which are more likely to be stronger, more experienced males that would stay on with the pride and protect the females and their cubs for longer. Studies have confirmed that a heavy-maned lion signals health and strength to rival males, prompting them to think twice before challenging him.
Infanticide for a reason
Lions are running on a tight schedule when it comes to passing on their genes to the next generation. Females space out their births every two years but prides also typically change leadership every two years. Given the short timeframe, lions taking over a new pride would routinely kill all cubs so that females can come on heat quickly to breed. Some females may die defending their young but those that survive will be ready to mate with the new pride leaders in 2-3 weeks’ time. This is Nature’s way of `quality control’ to ensure that only strong individuals get to pass on their genes to maintain the health of the species.
Meet the family
Come visit Simba and his family at the Zoo.
Simba is all grown up!
Our wee cub is looking more and more like a teen. Simba is slightly over a year old now and male lion cubs start showing hints of mane at this age. But it seems he’s still a mummy’s boy at heart!
Simba, Kiara and Shani
Tuesday, Thursday, Friday and Sunday
Timba and Kayla
Monday, Wednesday and Saturday
Together, we protect wildlife
Hunting the king
To prove their hunting prowess, Maasai warriors slew lions and cut off their mane and tail. These are then passed to their womenfolk for beading. The mane was worn during special occasions and the tail kept in the warrior’s camp. This ancient practice and all lion hunting are now banned in East Africa.
The IUCN Status
VU
Vulnerable
At high risk of extinction in the wild
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species is widely recognized as the most comprehensive, objective global approach for evaluating the conservation status of plant and animal species.
DD
Data Deficient
Unknown risk of extinction
LC
Least Concern
At relatively low risk of extinction
NT
Near Threatened
Likely to become vulnerable in the near future
VU
Vulnerable
At high risk of extinction in the wild
EN
Endangered
At very high risk of extinction in the wild
CR
Critically Endangered
At extremely high risk of extinction in the wild
EW
Extinct in the Wild
Survives only in captivity
EX
Extinct
No surviving individuals in the wild or in captivity