The Detroit Zoo this week announced the birth of three lion cubs to first-time mom Amirah, a 9-year-old African lioness housed at the zoo.
“She has been wonderfully calm, attentive and nurturing, spending her days bonding closely with her little ones in a cozy, quiet den,” the zoo said in a social media post on Facebook.
For now, Amirah, who had the litter Nov. 23-24, and her cubs will remain in the zoo’s den, according to Detroit Zoo officials, and out of public view. Zoo officials say the cubs may be visible to guests in a few months, once they are mobile and ready to explore larger spaces.
“African lions are vulnerable to extinction and endangered in some regions due to habitat loss, declining prey, disease and human-wildlife conflict. Welcoming these cubs is not only heartwarming — it’s a meaningful milestone in the Detroit Zoo’s commitment to conservation and the future of this iconic species,” the zoo said in an Instagram post.
Amirah also had a fourth cub that did not survive.
“A fourth cub, born significantly later than the others, did not survive,” the zoo post said. “While this is a natural part of life for many wild species, we remain grateful that Amirah and her three cubs are doing well.”
The zoo said its lions are part of a group known as a pride that features females Asha and Amirah, who have been part of the zoo family since 2019, along with Kalu, a male lion who joined the pride in November 2024.
“The rest of the pride — dad Kalu and aunt Asha — may or may not choose to spend time in their outdoor habitat (while Amirah and the cubs are inside),” the zoo said on Instagram.
How can I see what animals are doing at the Detroit Zoo?
The Detroit Zoo offers animal enthusiasts the chance to peek in on some of the animals.
Live cameras for Japanese macaques, sea otters and penguins who stay at the Detroit Zoo are available online.
Jalen Williams is a trending reporter at the Detroit Free Press. Contact him at jawilliams1@freepress.com.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Zoo announces trio of lion cubs. When you can see them
Reporting by Jalen Williams, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
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