African Lion Cub Makes Debut at Lincoln Park Zoo

Cub takes first steps outside at Pepper Family Wildlife Center, Visible to the Public Beginning Today

CHICAGO (May 28, 2022) – Just in time for Memorial Day weekend, the African lion cub at ‪@lincolnparkzoo‬ made his debut at Pepper Family Wildlife Center!

Pilipili (pee-lee-pee-lee), which means 'pepper' in Swahili, explored the outdoor habitat alongside mom Zari (Zar-ee), dad Jabari (jah-bar-ee), while "aunts" Cleo and Hasira remained behind-the-scenes.

Since his birth on March 15, Pilipili and Zari, 4, have been bonding behind the scenes at Pepper Family Wildlife Center. Zari and Jabari were recommended to breed as part of the African Lion Species Survival Plan®, a collaborative population management among accredited zoos. This is Zari and Jabari’s first offspring.

“Pilipili has continuously surpassed critical milestones and grows more curious of his surroundings each day,” said Curator of Mammals Mike Murray. “This morning, it was exciting to see him explore his outdoor habitat for the first time and see his inquisitive-nature in action. As he grows bigger and stronger, he’ll have the chance to explore all of the unique features his habitat offers, such as climbing trees for vertical complexity and thermal zones for cooling and heating.”

Lincoln Park Zoo members had the opportunity to be among the first to catch a glimpse of the cub at Pepper Family Wildlife Center during a member-only preview this morning. Members of the public can also have after-hours opportunities for cub viewing during the zoo’s new limited-capacity Family Nights at Lincoln Park Zoo, which take place Tuesday evenings from May 31-June 28.

The cub will have regular access to the exhibit beginning May 28. The lion pride, including the cub, will be visible intermittently as they have the choice to spend time behind-the-scenes or in hidden areas of their habitat.

Lincoln Park Zoo is dedicated to African lion conservation. The zoo is a long-time partner with the KopeLion Project based in the Ngorongoro Conservation in northern Tanzania, which strives to foster human-lion coexistence.

“The African Lion Species Survival Plan® among accredited zoos is important to this vulnerable species, with lion populations having declined for the past 100 years,” said Murray. “A journey through Pepper Family Wildlife Center tells the story of coexistence and the importance of conservation efforts in northern Tanzania. Seeing the cub, in addition to the rest of the pride, up close provides guests with a unique opportunity to connect with this magnificent species.”

Lion gestation lasts 3½ to four months. After birth, African lion young begin nursing within 24 hours, and they open their eyes within a few days. The females of a pride often give birth in close proximity and can help one another care for their cubs. Cubs are kept in hiding for the first several weeks of their lives and remain dependent on adults until they are 16 months of age. By the age of six months, cubs are weaned. At about one year old, males start to get fuzz around their neck that grows into a long mane.

Those interested in helping care for mom and cub all year long can shop the zoo’s Wish List at lpzoo.org/wishlist or with a lion cub ADOPT package at lpzoo.org/adopt.

Be a part of Lincoln Park Zoo’s pride by participating in the 44th annual Run for the Zoo 5K/10K on June 5. Participants will journey past the cub at Pepper Family Wildlife Center as part of the chip-timed course, and all funds directly support animal care and wildlife conservation efforts. With live children’s entertainment, animal chats, and deals on dinner, Family Nights at Lincoln Park Zoo also offer a great chance to spot the cub after-hours.

For more information about Lincoln Park Zoo, the species, or the zoo’s African lion conservation efforts, visit lpzoo.org.