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Lion
Scientific Name:
Panthera leo
Habitat:
Range from open plains, to thick brush and dry thorn forests
Range:
Sub-Saharan Africa
Average Size:
Height: 3½ to 4 feet at the shoulder
Length: Males, up to 10 feet; females, up to 9 feet
Weight: Males, 330 to 530 pounds; females, 270 to 300 pounds
Tail: 2 to 3 feet long
Description:
Adult male lions are well-known for their long, shaggy manes which serve as protection during fights and as an indicator of fitness. Both male and female lions have yellowish-gold coats, although young lions often have light spots on their coats that fade away as they age.
Animals:
The exhibit is home to three lions: one male and two females. The male lion, Zawadi Mungu, came from the San Diego Wild Animal Park, and was born in April 2008. The female lions, Neka and Kya, came respectively from the Virginia Zoo and Wisconsin's Racine Zoo. They were born in November 2007.
Zawadi Mungu, Neka and Kya will participate in the Oregon Zoo's new lion breeding program, a part of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums' Species Survival Plan for African lions.
Life Span:
Zoo lions may live up to 25 years, while wild lions live about 15 years.
Diet:
In the wild: warthog, wildebeest, zebra, impala and sometimes domestic livestock in areas near villages
Status in the Wild:
African lions are now listed as "endangered" (West African subspecies) and "vulnerable" (East and Southern African subspecies) by the World Conservation Union and are listed in Appendix II of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species.
Behavior:
Lions live in large social groups of related females, called prides, with up to 40 females and at least one adult male. Although the task of defending a pride’s territory falls on both males and
females, the males, which are larger, usually take on most of the defense duties, marking territory with roars and scent marks (urine).
Females do most of the hunting. Several females stalk a targeted animal from different angles, closing to within 100 feet before attacking. Females usually stay in their mothers’ prides for life, leaving only when food scarcity forces them out. Young males are driven from the pride when they are old enough to compete with the dominant males. Young males join in coalitions, usually
with brothers and cousins, and search for a pride to take over. Upon entering a new pride, adult males will kill all cubs.
Lions are mainly active at night; during the day, about 80 percent of their time is spent sitting or sleeping.
Reproduction:
Female lions usually give birth to a litter of up to five cubs every two years. When pregnant or nursing, females are not receptive to males. The gestation period is about three and a half months. At 3 months old, cubs begin to eat meat; however, they are not fully weaned until 6 months. Both male and female lions usually reach sexual maturity at about 24 months.
Due to a variety of dangers, including starvation during times of food shortage and attacks by male lions taking over prides, up to 80 percent of lion cubs die within their first two years of life.
 Amazing facts:
Lions have nine distinct vocalizations, including roars, grunts and growls! Due to the position of their hyoid apparatus, a bone at the base of the skull, lions are only able to purr when they exhale. A lion’s roar can be heard up to five miles away!
How You Can Help:
You can help the lion and other threatened or endangered species by joining the volunteer team at the Oregon Zoo and getting involved with other conservation groups. Many organizations focus on conservation in Africa, including the African Wildlife Foundation, Tusk Trust, Conserve Africa International, the World Wildlife Fund, the Wildlife Awareness Foundation and the Endangered Wildlife Trust. Please do not buy products made from wild animal parts.
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