Zuri feeding her two healthy cubs 12 hours before she died. Photo: Supplied.
Mogo Wildlife Park’s treasured lioness, Zuri, has tragically died three days after giving birth to her first cubs.
The seven-year-old lioness had given birth to two healthy cubs on 8 December, however a third cub was born deceased and a fourth was unable to be birthed. It was Zuri’s first pregnancy and there had been complications with the death of the two cubs, and sadly she died on 11 December.
Zoo staff carried out an emergency caesarian to try and save one of the cub, however it had already died and caused severe internal rupturing to Zuri due to its size and positioning.
The blessing was that Zuri was able to return to her den after the mammoth procedure and let the two healthy cubs suckle for 12 hours, which will give them the best start to life.
Zuri had a huge personality and will be missed by the staff at Mogo Wildlife Park. Photo: Supplied.
“She was so strong and showed real signs she would recover, but after three long days of around-the-clock care, pain relief, antibiotics and prayer, unfortunately the damage was just too much for her body and she passed,” says Mogo Wildlife Park director Chad Staples.
Now it’s up to zookeeper Chad to play mum, which requires feeding the yet-to-be-named cubs every two hours, even throughout the night.
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“It’s more than a full-time job,” says Chad. “However, they’re an absolute blessing and I’m loving every moment.”
Zuri was born at Mogo Wildlife Park and her mother, father and sister are still at the zoo.
Chad says she had a huge personality and was a beautiful lioness. He and Zuri had formed a strong bond during her pregnancy.
“We’d gone through the process of pairing her up with a male and doing ultrasounds during the pregnancy, to then having the absolute joy of the birth taking place,” he says. “It’s just so cruel it took this turn.”
However, there was nothing Chad or his team could have done to prevent it.
“Unfortunately, if this had happened in the wild, she wouldn’t have even lasted as long because there would have been no possibility of intervention,” he says. “We’ll never know why or what happened internally; it’s just the complications of pregnancy. The one real positive is that two cubs were born well.”
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The cubs won’t be able to be reared by another lioness, especially since being handled by humans. However, when they’re older, Chad will find them a suitable male and they’ll be able to start their own pride.
Chad says he’ll be a protective parent because it’s really important the cubs survive.
“Lions are a huge icon for the world,” he says. “They’re one of those species that fascinate and amaze everyone. They’re also a species that’s dwindling in the wild so every individual is crucial and every birth is a huge thing.”
For now, the cubs are in Chad’s capable care and will carry on Zuri’s legacy at Mogo Wildlife Park. Visitors can also look forward to seeing the cubs out and about when they’re older.
Reading this is so upsetting knowing that Zuri died so tragically. I can’t imagine the grief your zoo keepers go through when animals you love and care for, pass on. Thankfully you are able to take care now of her two little girls that survived. I can’t wait to see them when they are a little bit older.
Heart breaking.
Very glad she had a person she was close to at the end. Four cubs seems like a lot for a first, maybe that’s why. Here’s hoping foster “mum” Chad gets the support he needs too. It’s never easy to lose an animal you’ve cared for, and with being up all hours, he’s going to be a wreck.
So sad for Zuri and also for losing two of her cubs. But so pleased you are able to look out for the other 2 until they are old enough to be placed back into a pride. Thank you so much for caring so much. These animals are so beautiful it is always hard to lose them when you have been looking out for them for such a while. Thank you again.
How sad that she died but she left behind two cubs that will be her legacy
This is so devastating to hear. How hard this must be for the staff and other lions to mourn her loss.
I am thankful for Chad to take care of the babies.
Thankful for Chad.
Mixed thoughts and emotions. Perhaps it is what it is and these things happen. You do more than just ‘care’ and that’s so important.
This breaks my heart. People think that nowadays giving birth whether human or animal is perfectly safe. It is not. It is extremely dangerous for both the mother and the child. I nearly lost my best friend when she gave birth. Her first and only child as she had to have a complete hysterectomy to save her life. She never got over either emotionally or physically. To lose a healthy young animal like this and also a cub is just such a tragedy in a world where we are losing so many species. I want to cry.
I AM A ANIMAL LOVER..I HAVE A SERVICE DOG. MY “WILL” IS MADE OUT TO DOG FOUNDATION.xxx
I am so sad for you all. Please continue the good work you do! God bless…
I’m so so sorry this happen. What a beautiful momma she was. I know the Zoo keeper will keep the babies safe and take the best care of them. This is just so sad.😢 I love animals and I hate it when this happens to them especially so young. 😢😢😢
Merry Christmas to Chad and rest of Zoo keepers. Love and hugs to them sweet babies.💖
the headline says the cubs died, but the story says they lived?
The two in the photo were born alive and well, and survived. One was stillborn, and a fourth one had to be taken surgically, but was already dead. The two survivors will hopefully grow and continue their mother’s legacy.
one was stillborn and one died before being born….2 were born healthy
There were four cubs, two were born okay, one was stillborn and one was still in the birthing canal and was dead when they operated on her.
I believe they mean there were four total; two died, and two lived.
There were 4 cubs, 2 lived and 2 died. So sad!!
The actual story says “she birthed two cubs, one was born deceased, and one was unable to be birthed” and they had to take it out and then she suffered complications. The two remaining cubs are being hand raised.
Two of the four died.
The article states 2 cubs died and 2 cubs lived.
She had 4 cubs. Two lived, the last two they tried to save by cesarean died.
2 died 2 survived
She had 4, two lived, one was still born, and one was stuck, causing all the internal damage.
I am so sorry for the loss of this beautiful mama. Her baby’s are absolutely stunning. God bless you for taking care of them. They’ll carry on for their mammy. Again I am so sorry for the loss of zuri. God bless. May these baby’s grow and follow their mommy’s footsteps.
Won’t another male kill the cubs?
So sorry for the lost of Zuri and may her legacy carry on with her surviving cubs.😢
Most unfortunate that the poor Mum died, I am sure she had the best of care, but Mother Nature has her way of sorting things out. Her cubs will go on to grow up and strong and healthy and have their own babies to keep the family line going.. Bless them all.
She was too old to be bred for the fist time. Maybe they should be partners with the San Diego Zoo.
My opinion is that whoever wrote this article was an idiot to never state just where the Mogo Wildlife Park is!
Its in the name of the Park.
Diane Palmer – what a a nasty thing to say. The story is about the loss of a lioness and her two babies. If you don’t know where Mogo is – LOOK IT UP!