Meet Zuri: Miami Lion Cub Joins 2 Other Cubs At Maryland Zoo
BALTIMORE (WJZ)—They don't come much cuter than the yet-to-be-named lion cubs at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore. And now the siblings have a new playmate.
Jessica Kartalija has more on the 3-month-old female lion cub from Miami.
Meet little miss Zuri.
"She is really cute, has a lot of personality and is sort of trying to fit in right now. They were checking each other out the first day, and now they are playing and sleeping together. They're doing really well," said Carey Ricciardone, mammal collection and conservation manager, Maryland Zoo in Baltimore.
Ricciardone got a call from Zoo Miami , asking if they could care for Zuri, who lost two male siblings to apparent maternal neglect and illness. The litter born Sept. 24 was the first born at Zoo Miami in its 33-year history.
"She's kind of the new kid on the block. She looks at where she can get in and play with them," Ricciardone said.
The cubs and adult lions are able to see and hear each other, but it will be quite some time before they are integrated into the same den.
"They will be in quarantine for 30 days. Weather isn't on our side right now. As soon as it's a nice day, we can bring them outside," Ricciardone said.
Zuri, who is 10 days older but smaller than the two, was carefully screened before making the trip to Baltimore.
"Before she came here, lots of medical testing, to make sure that nothing could be transferred to our cubs or our other lions," Ricciardone said.
Zuri is just fine and is making new friends. She's likely a little cold as she gets used to her new home in Charm City.
All of the lion cubs will stay at the Maryland Zoo in Baltimore for at least two years and then Ricciardone says they may be sent to other zoos to make even more lion cubs.
Click here to find out more about the other two cubs at the Maryland Zoo and vote on their names.
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