The four newest lion cubs at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park
have reached yet another milestone on their way to joining their mother in roaming the exhibit grounds.
The four newest lion cubs at the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park have reached yet another milestone on their way to joining their mother in roaming the exhibit grounds.
All four of them successfully passed their swim test.
Testing water navigation skills is considered incredibly important as the lions’ grounds are contained by a large moat.
In the event one of the babies accidentally ends up in it, keepers want to be sure he or she can keep themselves afloat and make it to land again.
At its shallow end, the water is only two and a half feet deep, but that’s pretty significant as the cubs are only slightly bigger than housecat.
The deep end is around 9 feet, and is intended to serve as a barrier that keeps all of the lions where they belong.
Not long ago, the cubs also met their father. They were joined by their half-siblings.
All six of them were placed in a small containment with their daddy.
He was a bit gruff but based on observations by the zoo staff, they all seemed to be comfortable.
