Chester Zoo Asha given birth.

[taun]

It seems that Ashas, has finally given birth. I dont now if the cubs survived, or how many. I hope someone here will beable to confirm numbers and if all are ok?

Apparently from what I have heard she gave birth outside in the paddock and Asoka is being kept indoors at the moment.

 

[JamesB]

is asha the lion or tiger? or neither of these!

 

[taun]

is asha the lion or tiger? or neither of these!

She is a Asiatic lion. Sorry forgot to mention that.

 

[Paulkarli08]

Surely if they have been born in the paddock, then their going to be too cold to survive? Anyone think the keepers will pull them away again. It will be a real shame if this litter is unsuccessful. It may also mean that the pair will be stopped from further breeding in the future.

 

[JamesB]

oh yeah i remeber her on the last zoo days, wonder if they are okay this time

 

[taun]

Surely if they have been born in the paddock, then their going to be too cold to survive? Anyone think the keepers will pull them away again. It will be a real shame if this litter is unsuccessful. It may also mean that the pair will be stopped from further breeding in the future.

From what I was told, that if you was very lucky you may she her feeding the young. therefore I would gather she is outside with them still.

This was yesterday the news reached me, but without having a chance to visit myself I cannot update you anymore than this. It usually is third time around lucky with Big Cats.

 

[Paulkarli08]

Well at least she is feeding them. I'm still worried about the cubs being outside at only a few days old though. Hopefully things will go well this time round... Well Done Asha!!

 

[taun]

Well at least she is feeding them. I'm still worried about the cubs being outside at only a few days old though. Hopefully things will go well this time round... Well Done Asha!!

You can't make animals do things they dont want them too, and well if she more comfortable outside rearing them I would let her continue as long as it wasn't freezing tempertures out there.

 

[Pertinax]

I'm still worried about the cubs being outside at only a few days old though.

Its an unusual situation. I guess the weather will govern the zoos decision on what to do, though the mother may actually be more relaxed because she's not confined indoors.

 

[zoogiraffe]

As long as the litter doesn`t have wonky legs then i say just let her get on with it.Will be going on Saturday so if nobodys found out before then will try to find out.

 

[taun]

As long as the litter doesn`t have wonky legs then i say just let her get on with it.Will be going on Saturday so if nobodys found out before then will try to find out.

Cheers Zoogiraffe, Last time I went they still had the sign up saying she was due to give birth and she was out on her own in the paddock.

I doubt I will beable to get there before then.

 

[funkyelephants]

I was at the zoo the other day. Asha has had 2 cubs. The cubs and Asha are outside and Asoka is being kept inside. This seems to be benefiting Asha and the cubs. She has been seened emerging from her den (under the lions platform) with a cub in her mouth- when the visiters all gathered round she was being aggressive towards the fence where they all were. This is a good sign, She is obviously trying to protrect her cubs. I was also told b a keeper that she is doing very well.

 

[CZJimmy]

Great news, lets just hope that the cub's legs are fine this time. From the sounds of things, Asha is caring for the cubs, so I guess it's a "wait and see" moment.

 

[zoogiraffe]

Great news, lets just hope that the cub's legs are fine this time. From the sounds of things, Asha is caring for the cubs, so I guess it's a "wait and see" moment.

Suspect the fact that shes caring for them means the legs are ok.

 

[taun]

As I said third time around lucky,

We wont know for sure if the cubs legs are normally for a week or so yet

 

[Pertinax]

As I said third time around lucky,

We wont know for sure if the cubs legs are normally for a week or so yet

the worst thing about this is the bad weather- wet and windy etc. I don't know how well protected they are from it? I wouldn't rate their chances too highly because of this one factor.

 

[taun]

the worst thing about this is the bad weather- wet and windy etc. I don't know how well protected they are from it? I wouldn't rate their chances too highly because of this one factor.

We'll have to wait and see. The cubs have survived a at least a week out there so far, with Asha doing really well.

You never know she may bring them inside if it gets too wet. But from the sounds of it if she has dened under the platforms? They are well sheltered.

 

[Paulkarli08]

My concern now is on Asoka, if zoo's don't normally mix mother and cubs with existing lions for at least 3 months, it means poor Asoka will be confined inside for the forseeable future until the keepers can bring the cubs inside? The poor lad is going to be going up the wall!

Has anyone seen any more sightings of the cubs yet?

 

[taun]

My concern now is on Asoka, if zoo's don't normally mix mother and cubs with existing lions for at least 3 months, it means poor Asoka will be confined inside for the forseeable future until the keepers can bring the cubs inside? The poor lad is going to be going up the wall!

Its not a great situation but still if Asha successfully raises her cubs on her own its a real boast to the population.

She may well bring them inside at some point who knows, but hopefully they will go on now to produce a couple more litters

 

[zoogiraffe]

Visited yesterday didn`t see Asha or the cubs but from what i was told they are all doing fine inspite of the weather,shes still rearing them outside,as for Asoka he`s already going up the wall been shut in never heard him roar so much as yesterday.