Omaha (world best) zoo's baby boom includes giraffe, 3 lion cubs photos & video

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/living/omaha-zoo-s-baby-boom-includes-giraffe-lion-cubs/article_ea8afe90-74be-11e4-9f50-bb5826ab2134.html

By Chris Peters / World-Herald staff writer POSTED: WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2014 1:20 AM | UPDATED: 1:46 PM, WED NOV 26, 2014.

A recent baby boom at the Henry Doorly Zoo & Aquarium has guests gushing at the sight of an infant giraffe and a trio of newborn lion cubs.

The little critters can be spotted on display with their mothers as they gain strength and start to develop independence. Already, the giraffe is flailing its limbs and walking around in the indoor giraffe exhibit, while the lion cubs stay mostly cuddled up to their mother in a corner of the Cat Complex.


One of the two male lion cubs holds a special distinction. The white lion is covered in snow-white fur similar in color to its mother’s underbelly, a rare trait caused by a recessive gene native to only one group of lions in a South African national park. Zoo Executive Director and CEO Dennis Pate said the zoo had no idea its lions carried the gene.

CHRIS MACHIAN/THE WORLD-HERALD
Ahadi licks a baby lion cub at Omaha's Henry Doorly Zoo and Aquarium on Wednesday, November 26, 2014.

This week, the zoo announced the addition of the three African lion cubs, born Friday; the 3-week-old female reticulated giraffe; a 2-week-old white-handed gibbon; and a 4-month-old African spotted-­neck otter, all of which are now on display to the public.




Video: http://studio.omaha.com/?ndn.trackingGroup=91341&ndn.siteSection=omahawh_nws_loc_sty&ndn.videoId=28197345&freewheel=91341&sitesection=omahawh_nws_loc_sty&vid=28197345


FULL story and more photos at link.

Related Links
Photo gallery: Omaha Zoo's newest baby lion cubs

http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/05/travel/tripadvisor-best-zoos/

(CNN) -- What makes a zoo or aquarium outstanding?
Exotic animals?

Drowning bird rescued by unlikely hero See adorable, rare sheep-goat hybrid Cheetah cub and puppy are best friends Prince George visits Australian zoo

Stellar recreations of natural habitats?

Plenty of sugary refreshments for the kids?

The new Travelers' Choice awards for Zoos and Aquariums around the world issued by travel website TripAdvisor is light on captive-collection specifics but high on opinion.

Naming 275 zoos and aquariums in total, the awards call the Henry Doorly Zoo in Omaha, Nebraska, the world's best.

[shenmue]

1. Oh would ya just

Squee!

[rhett o rick]

2. Very cool, thanks Omaha Steve, for posting. nm

[freshwest]

3. So that's a gibbon? That baby looks human. What long fingers they have, though!

[840high]

4. That was my first thought.

[UTUSN]

5. I been to San Diego zoo, hate zoos because I want our babies free n/t

[Retrograde]

6. And available to hunters and poachers?

There are some species that only exist because of captive breeding - and rhinos are sadly getting there. A good zoo specializes in a small number of animals, tries to give them space and an environment as close to their natural one, and looks after their health. Yeah, it would be nice if we could see all of them in the wild, but with 7+ billion people competing for resources, there's more and more competition for resource

[UTUSN]

7. Well , O.K. (I don't know what I mean, exactly)

[BlancheSplanchnik]

8. 7 billion ^'s

Sadly (for the planet and everything else living on it) , by tomorrow, that won't be enough.

[Omaha Steve]

9. Thanks for beating me to the reply

OS