New Lion For Animal Kingdom.

[ScoutN]

Kinda cool that one I have seen for two and a half years is headed to somewhere I can still see him.

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/norfolk/young-lion-moving-to-new-home

NORFOLK, Va. (WAVY) - A young African lion will be leaving the Virginia Zoo on Thursday and heading to Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando for a potential breeding situation.

According to a Virginia Zoo news release, Dakari, a juvenile male lion, was born at the Zoo on May 2, 2009 to father Mramba and mother Zola, along with two other male cubs and one female cub, in their second litter.

Dakari is the last of the siblings to move to a new home. The other male cubs went to the Pittsburgh Zoo and the female went to the Knoxville Zoo.

Dakari is being moved as part of the Species Survival Program to a potential future breeding situation. The move also frees up Dakari's parents to breed again.

Species Survival Programs are designed to help endangered species through a range of activities, including cooperative breeding, research, public education, fundraising and field conservation projects.

Lions are the second largest living cat after tigers. With some males exceeding 550 pounds, Dakari weighs 438 pounds.

Wild lions currently inhabit sub-Saharan Africa and are considered to be a vulnerable species due to habitat loss and conflict with humans.

 

[zulemara]

I just did the Africa Trek and our guide told us about this. She said they don't have a firm timeline on when the new lion will be visible in the Safari, could be weeks or months. Still very cool since the 2 lions there are very old and not very active.

 

[ScoutN]

A keeper in Norfolk was rumbling about it when I was there in November. I wrote it off until I heard it in AK in December.

 

[Tip Top Club]

Yep, I would expect to see more than a few new animals out on the safari this summer...

 

[RSoxNo1]

Yep, I would expect to see more than a few new animals out on the safari this summer...

What is the gestation period for lions?

 

[lnsemsf]

What is the gestation period for lions?

Answer.

 

[ScoutN]

Answer.

Daily Double.

I'm going to attempt to hop over there after class one day this week and see if I can pick anymore info.

 

[fosse76]

I just did the Africa Trek and our guide told us about this. She said they don't have a firm timeline on when the new lion will be visible in the Safari, could be weeks or months. Still very cool since the 2 lions there are very old and not very active.

Well, since the old lions are rarely visible on the safari, then her quote will still be accurate when the Lion is out on the safari.

 

[mickeysaver]

Kinda cool that one I have seen for two and a half years is headed to somewhere I can still see him.

http://www.wavy.com/dpp/news/local_news/norfolk/young-lion-moving-to-new-home

It is neat when you can keep track of the critters from your own backyard.

I am excited to hear that a younger fella is joining AK. Maybe his presence will bring a little more drama to the Lion's part of the KS.

 

[drew81]

Yep, I would expect to see more than a few new animals out on the safari this summer...

Can you share which ones?

 

[ScoutN]

Can you share which ones?

The guides talk all about it openly. I for one, did not pay much attention outside of the lions. About them being rarely visible, I always see them great.

 

[GOT2SAMMIES]

Disney must really love our animals born here in Norfolk (okay before I get blasted I know Disney doesn't actually chose)... First they get our baby giraffe back in October 2010 and now they get one of our lions! Wohoo so excited for them!

 

[Tip Top Club]

The Lions are not nearly as "Rare" as they used to be, there are currently only two, and it's a brother sister pair. Yes, Lions sleep and Rest a lot, but the female is usually pretty active in the morning until about 11ish, and the male is usually very active from about 3:30 until close, he tends to pace around a lot.

I don't know if it's true, but I've also heard that he is not coming to mate with either of the current lions on show, but that another lion may be on the way as well.

 

[RSoxNo1]

I thought there were 4 current lions at the Animal Kingdom and they rotated which ones were out on the Savannah

 

[drew81]

The Lions are not nearly as "Rare" as they used to be, there are currently only two, and it's a brother sister pair. Yes, Lions sleep and Rest a lot, but the female is usually pretty active in the morning until about 11ish, and the male is usually very active from about 3:30 until close, he tends to pace around a lot.

I don't know if it's true, but I've also heard that he is not coming to mate with either of the current lions on show, but that another lion may be on the way as well.

As far as what other changes might happen, think some pre-2007 refurb animals...

Impala and Zebra???

I would still like to see Hyenas or Wild Dogs added somewhere, anywhere on KS. Oh and while they're at it-Cape Buffalo.

 

[RSoxNo1]

Impala and Zebra???

I would still like to see Hyenas or Wild Dogs added somewhere, anywhere on KS. Oh and while they're at it-Cape Buffalo.

You can still Zebras on occasion in the glimpse into the savannah that the ride doesn't traverse. The lone viewing area is right before the red claypits. I've seen zebras up there a couple of times in the last few years.

I've also been told that the Zebras get too aggressive so they would have to be separated from the other savannah animals. I'm not sure what happened to the Impalas.

I would also like to see them add Addax and Masai Giraffe to the game spotting guides.

When the safari was originally planned I know there were plans for Hyenas, Wild Dogs and Gemsboks I believe but they cut them for budget reasons. Hyenas and Wild Dogs would be awesome.

 

[KJ1081]

^ Typically, I'd agree that TDO cut animals for budget reasons, but in the case of Gemsbok, I think they made the right choice. They are absolute NUTCASES!!! There's no way they'd ever tolerate the trucks. I spent a few years working for the vet at our local zoo, and we have a herd of Gemsbok. It takes more people (and tranquilizer so strong 1 drop on human skin=instant death) to handle one of them than anything else in the collection- including polar bears, roan antelope, gorillas, and big cats. Gemsbok do not tolerate any type of commotion- honestly they're very likely to break their own neck trying to get away. They'll run head first into a wall. They're also VERY aggressive, and so no hesitate to attack when threatened. Given their psychotic nature, TDO made a good decision in pulling them from the safari.

 

[drew81]

Anything on Springbok coming to KS??

I would also love to see Ground Hornbills and Shoebill Storks added.

 

[MarkTwain]

^ Typically, I'd agree that TDO cut animals for budget reasons, but in the case of Gemsbok, I think they made the right choice. They are absolute NUTCASES!!! There's no way they'd ever tolerate the trucks. I spent a few years working for the vet at our local zoo, and we have a herd of Gemsbok. It takes more people (and tranquilizer so strong 1 drop on human skin=instant death) to handle one of them than anything else in the collection- including polar bears, roan antelope, gorillas, and big cats. Gemsbok do not tolerate any type of commotion- honestly they're very likely to break their own neck trying to get away. They'll run head first into a wall. They're also VERY aggressive, and so no hesitate to attack when threatened. Given their psychotic nature, TDO made a good decision in pulling them from the safari.

LOL I wish the safari tour spiel shared more information like this.

 

[Tip Top Club]

Things change constantly on the Savanna so, honestly, who knows?! I would also love to see Hyenas added, I heard talk about it once, but I think that idea has, for the moment fallen by the wayside.

I would LOVE African Wild Dogs, they are beautiful, effective predators, and their teamwork would be a great message for the safari drivers to share about the animals.

I also remember hearing rumors about Klipspringer...a small kopje antelope, but I feel that would be difficult to see from the trucks.