Chadwick arrived at the Santa Barbara Zoo as a four year old in December 2002. He was born in captivity and was previously on view at the Indianapolis Zoo. Six-year old Gingerbread was born at the Indianapolis Zoo and came to Santa Barbara in September 2003 from the Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City, Kansas. Both lions are South African sub-species.The Santa Barbara Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. - 5 p.m.; general admission is $8 for adults, $6 for children 2-12 and seniors 60+, and children under 2 free. The Santa Barbara Zoo is accredited by the American Zoo and Aquarium Association (AZA). AZA accredited zoos and aquariums are helping to preserve thousands of animals regionally and around the world through unequaled wildlife conservation programs.
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African Lion Cub born at Santa Barbara Zoo
February 13, 2004
Santa Paula News
After observing pre-holiday breeding activity by African lions Gingerbread and Chadwick, keepers at the Santa Barbara Zoo were hopeful that there would be offspring by Valentine’s Day. They were right, as female lion Gingerbread gave birth to four cubs Tuesday morning (February 3, 2004), only one of which survived.
Following the birth, Zoo staff observed the mother and the surviving female newborn, and gave Gingerbread every opportunity to show signs of maternal care, such as nursing. When these behaviors were not exhibited by the mother, the decision was made late Tuesday to place the cub in the Zoo veterinary hospital for hand-rearing.“It’s exciting to have the first-ever birth of an African lion cub in our new Cats of Africa exhibit,” commented Zoo General Curator Alan Varsik. “Both the cub and mother are under observation, and we are monitoring their health. We expect the cub to be in the veterinary hospital for approximately ten days, but no decisions have been made as to when the cub will go on view to the public. Any future decisions will be based on the health of the cub and on recommendations from the AZA’s Species Survival Plan.”The two adult lions were recommended for breeding by the American Zoo & Aquarium Association’s (AZA) Species Survival Plan, an international effort to manage captive populations of key species. The Species Survival Plan for African lions will be integral in making decisions about the new cub and future breeding for Gingerbread. Gingerbread was bred once before, at the Lee Richardson Zoo in Kansas, where she produced one cub that did not survive.These are the first cubs ever born at the Santa Barbara Zoo. The new Cats of Africa exhibit is a 5,600 square foot $2.2 million project that opened one year ago, in March 2003. The exhibit has been designed to accommodate up to six lions. Gingerbread has been off-exhibit since mid-January, in a den located in the lion holding area. Closed-circuit cameras were installed in the holding area to keep a close eye on the expectant mother. Zoo General Curator Alan Varsik and Zoo Veterinarian Karl Hill were on hand for the birth, along with other Zoo staff.About Chadwick and Gingerbread
