Good News and Bad News

After missing the birth of Mjukuu's baby, I went back to London Zoo last Friday (the first time I've ever been three twice in one week) to try and see her. When I first arrived (the earliest I've ever got there) the queue wasn't too long, but I went back twice during the day to try and get a better look, and the queue was longer each time.It was very difficult to see the baby, as Mjukuu kept her distance from the watching crowds, but it was possible to make out tiny hands and feet, and the little 3-day-old head of the new baby.




That was the good news. The bad news is that Abi, the lioness who had cubs last year, came into heat and conceived again in a way that would not happen in the wild while a lioness is still caring for her young. The cubs - three little girls, which would have been a great boon to the conservation programme - didn't make it, as she neglected them in favour of her 18-month-old son and daughter.

She has become aggressive towards her mate, Lucifer, and he has been separated off till she comes into season again. They are going to keep her daughter for a while longer (but give her a contraceptive implant so that dad can't breed from her) but the son is to go to a collection in Poland. Then, with luck, the next time round there will be a successful breeding.

Though to be honest, the way she was behaving around her cubs, especially the boy, I'd say she might have come into season again already.

Meanwhile, Lucifer is not happy with being apart from the family, though I think his pacing might have something to do with the fact that he knows Abi's ready, willing and able.