The four lion cubs in Beekse Bergen explored the large outdoor enclosure for the first time today. After the slide opened, one of the young cubs was the first to look outside, the mother and other three cubs quickly followed. The cubs were born in the Safari Park about two months ago. The three females and one male stayed in the indoor enclosure under the care of mother Evy in recent weeks and were able to explore the outside world little by little on the terrace linked to the stable. Here they could carefully get used to grass and sand. First litter It is the first litter of lions in Beekse Bergen in six years. The young animals were born on the night of Tuesday, July 11 to Wednesday, July 12. Originally, five cubs were born, but one did not make it. The other four are doing very well, says head zookeeper Christian Meurrens. “They are growing like crazy: they are very round. Their weight has now doubled compared to their birth weight. They have also had two medical checks and everything looked good.” The young animals were given names after the gender became known. The male is called Nelson and the females’ names are Winnie, Zenani and Nandi. The cubs’ father is called Mandela and that was the inspiration to name the offspring after Nelson Mandela’s family.
