On June 4, 2023, the Werribee Open Range Zoo celebrated a momentous occasion as lioness Nilo gave birth to three precious cubs, two males and one female. These delightful additions to the zoo’s lion family have spent the last eight weeks bonding closely with their mother, Nilo. Recently, they’ve begun to venture out of their den and explore the lion habitat for short periods each day.

Allow us to introduce you to Mwezi (pronounced Mw-e-zee), Kianga (pronounced Kee-ang-uh), and Jango (pronounced Jan-go). These names are not only inspired by languages spoken in the regions where wild lions are found in Africa but also reflect the unique personalities of these lion cubs.

While these cubs bring immense joy to zoo visitors, they also symbolize an important conservation effort. Lions, once widespread across northern Africa, south-west Asia, Europe, and India, now face a concerning decline in numbers. Factors such as habitat destruction, trophy hunting, disease, and conflicts with farmers protecting their livestock have contributed to this decline. The Werribee Open Range Zoo, along with many others, plays a crucial role in raising awareness and working towards the conservation of these majestic creatures.

In celebration of their arrival and as a source of pure delight, we invite you to enjoy five minutes of adorable lion cub antics!