Visiting the Bowmanville Zoo is always a great day, our family always looks forward to our next visit and the boys often talk about animals they’ve made connections with throughout the year. My middle child talks about Limba so much you would think it was one of his friends names! Sadly, Limba passed away and we no longer have the opportunity to visit his special friend, but this past weekend we were lucky enough to make some new ones!
Bowmanville Cubs
The cubs have arrived! On June 6th resident lioness Kaya gave birth to four precious cubs! 3 boys and 1 girl were born and are healthy and growing strong! My family had the privilege of getting up close and personal with the babies last weekend when we had a special invitation to the zoo! The boys might have just thought they were cute cats ( they look more like a cross between a bear and a cat as their coat is thick and they have a wide stance) but Mom and Dad were in complete awe of these creatures! It’s not everyday you get to pick up a lion in your arms! We kept reminding the boys that these playful little lions were going to grow up to be huge and a little scary like their daddy! Let me tell you, when this big guy let’s out a tired moan, you can hear it pretty far away! I can’t even imagine what a full our ROAR would sound like!
The Bowmanville Zoo staff are looking after the cubs well and even take turns bringing them home for late night feedings! Did you know that lions aren’t born able to pee and poop on their own? Mom lions help with that and the zoo staff are too! It’s incredible!
NAME THE CUBS CONTEST!
The cubs have temporary nicknames right now, but they are giving you the chance to help give the cubs their permanent names! Got a great name you think would be fitting for a King of the jungle?? If he name you enter is selected you will win an exclusive photo shoot with the lion cubs!
TO ENTER: Email your name suggestions to lioncubnames@bowmanvillezoo.com. Everyone who enters gets a free child’s admission coupon AND a special discount coupon for a lion cub photo!
Contest runs from July 16th to July 22, 2014 at 11:59pm EST.
Winners will be announced July 24, 2014
During our visit we also got to meet Robbie, a Bengal Tiger! He was rescued from a strip club and now calls Bowmanville Zoo his home. One of the ladies that assisted in his rescue was actually back to see him with us!
Cub Photos
You can get your picture taken the adorable Lion Cubs too! Photos with the cubs are now available each day for $10. Photos will be taken by the tent outside of the Splash Pad and the schedule will be posted at the gate each morning.
Save on Admission!
Mom vs the Boys fans can save on admission with this coupon for $10 admission! Take advantage of this great deal! Offer is valid from July 1- August 31, 2014!
Click Here to get your Coupon, you can print it or show it on your phone
Follow along with the Bowmanville Zoo on Twitter @Bowmanville_Zoo and Facebook
Must have been an amazing experience to pet the baby lions!
Oh my, those little lion cubs are so adorable. I love cats and these cuties are the ultimate kitties!! Not able to poop and pee on their own?? OK, the nurse in me has to know what is done by mom and staff to make this happen?
mama lion licks the area and staff rub on their bums with toilet paper to stimulate the area. ooohhh….the things we learned lol
Oh my goodness, how adorable! I would love to snuggle up to one of those little cubs!
Oh my gosh! SO adorable! What a great experience for you! Totally “Ooooh-ing and Ahhhh-ing” right now.
What a total blast that must have been! It looks like everyone had a great time! Thanks
I’m gonna have to put my thinking cap on!!! I have been to the Zoo many times over the years but have not been in quite some time. Most definitely time to visit again.
I would have loved to feed the babies
Such great pictures!
Those baby cubs are so cute, what an experience that must have been getting up so close and personal. And I’m glad to see the tiger has been rescued. Poor thing, having to work in a strip club.
What a fantastic expereinvce!!! Those cubs are just too adorable!!
wow how amazing to cradle a lion cub!
AWWWE how cute!! i would totally love to hold a lion cub. what a great and memorable experience
Absolutely adorable!
I love that picture of you with the tiger, such a beautiful cat, it would of been cool to feed the lion cubs, they are so cute!!
Wow, this place looks amazing! I would love to hold a little lion cub – they’re so cute! 🙂 Too bad I don’t live close to there.
Oh my, they are so cute! I never had a chance to visit the Bowmanville Zoo when I lived in TO but would love to take my kids there.
Those cubs are adorable, and I love the mama’s name – that’s one of my daughter’s names. 🙂 I had a similar experience when I was a child – my dad took me to an event where I was also able to hold lion cubs. I will never forget it! Unfortunately I was going through a horrible awkward phase at the time though, so my photos are not as cute as all of yours! 😉
Wow. I would love to have the opportunity to do that with the cubs.
Amazing! Such a wonderful opportunity to see such beautiful animals up close and personal.
The grandkids would be in awe if they were there
What a great place to visit!
How cool is that?? That is a great photo op
OMG! Is my dream see this animals so close, beautiful pictures!
That’s so adorable! It’s not located far from us so thanks for writing about this place!
What a great experience for you and your boys.