The Fort Worth Zoo is roaring into the new year with a new king of the jungle in training. A male lion cub, Moja, has been born, marking the first lion birth at the zoo since 2015. According to KENS5, the cub is not only a new addition to the zoo but also the first to quickly grow in their new Predators of Asia & Africa habitat.
The little cub's birth on October 20th was announced with pride by the zoo officials. At just four days old, the cub weighed a mere 2.7 pounds and has steadily grown to a robust 16 pounds. Despite being new to the world, Moja is already practicing to potentially become the king of beasts by engaging in play that mimics hunting behaviors with his mother, Saba, "as he often plays with Saba’s tail as well as chews on her hindquarters," as stated in a press release obtained by Fort Worth Business.
Moja is the product of first-time parents Saba and Jabulani and represents a critical boost to biodiversity. "The Fort Worth Zoo is part of a cooperative breeding program among North American zoos to help ensure a genetically diverse and thriving population of lions," per Fort Worth Business. This birth is not only adored by animal enthusiasts but also deeply important to conservation efforts, as African lion numbers are currently classified as vulnerable.
The zoo is exercising caution to slowly introduce Moja to the rest of his pride, including father Jabulani and another adult female, Abagabe. According to zoo officials, "Moja hasn’t met Jabulani or the other adult female, Abagabe, just yet, but introductions will be planned in the near future as the cub continues to grow," as reported by KENS5. Before he can claim his rightful place in the habitat, caretakers are committed to making sure Moja is big and strong enough to handle all the challenges of lion life, including navigating the habitat's water features.
While the public eagerly awaits Moja's debut, the zoo remains focused on the cub's development and the safety of introducing him to the outdoor enclosure. The timing for when Moja will grace the public with his royal presence remains at the mercy of the weather, so fans will have to stay tuned to catch a glimpse of the zoo's newest and fluffiest attraction.
