Toronto Zoo Riverdale zoo

[Zoo adventures]

That Lion's name was 'Charlie' and he sired more than 40 young with his mate 'Jane', Jane was unable to nurse and as a result, all of the surviving young were raised by zoo staff.

40 lion cubs? How can that be possible

Mable Southam holding Chinese Leopard Chi

Do you know what is the date when this picture was taken?

 

[Wisp O' Mist]

40 lion cubs? How can that be possible

Twenty year lifespan, plus cubs removed for hand-rearing...

I can see it.

 

[Jambo]

40 lion cubs? How can that be possible

Do you know what is the date when this picture was taken?

Twenty year lifespan, plus cubs removed for hand-rearing...

I can see it.

Litters can also have up to six cubs.

If you take into account the cubs being removed from hand rearing, the three month long pregnancies, the average litter of cubs per litter being three - there could easily be around six cubs born each year. Times that by seven years (the average reproductive lifespan of a male lion), and you have just over 40 cubs!

Certainly achievable as all cubs were hand raised and assuming Charlie lived to a reasonable age.

 

[Riverdale Zoo]

40 lion cubs? How can that be possible

Do you know what is the date when this picture was taken?

She didn’t eat them and the keepers monitored her closely when she was due. One time she had 7 and we raised them all at the same time as we had a ring tail lemur and a baby beaver. Every weekend the whole lot went with us up to our cottage, which is now my permanent residence. None of them were declawed and none had to be caged or on a leash, they all had a great time playing on the beach and swimming in the lake. I have a private lake on 400 acres of land in Central Frontenac township.
In that photo of mom holding Chi she is wearing new metro zoo coveralls so that would make it 1973

 

[Zoo adventures]

She didn’t eat them and the keepers monitored her closely when she was due. One time she had 7 and we raised them all at the same time as we had a ring tail lemur and a baby beaver. Every weekend the whole lot went with us up to our cottage, which is now my permanent residence. None of them were declawed and none had to be caged or on a leash, they all had a great time playing on the beach and swimming in the lake. I have a private lake on 400 acres of land in Central Frontenac township.
In that photo of mom holding Chi she is wearing new metro zoo coveralls so that would make it 1973

Ohh the mother is so strong to be able to breed so much cubs. Thanks for the information.

 

[antilio capra]

Thats a lot of cubs. Does anyone know what species of civet they had

 

[Riverdale Zoo]

Photo credit John Wood March 9 1971

 

[Riverdale Zoo]

Correction on previous date for Chi photos, Chi was born in late 1976
Cindy was born on Boxing Day 1970 (Black Leopard) plus many more cubs between those dates.

 

[Riverdale Zoo]

Great historic Riverdale pictures featured in Toronto Guardian can be found here:
Riverdale Farm 40th Anniversary and Events