Singapore Zoo welcomes newborn lion cub ‘Simba’, first born in Singapore via assisted reproduction

Say hello to Simba, the first lion cub to be born by assisted reproduction in Singapore. 

The Singapore Zoo welcomed the male cub on Oct 23 last year, said the Wildlife Reserves Singapore on Tuesday (Jan 26).  

Simba was conceived after zookeepers and veterinarians collected semen from his father, Mufasa, a geriatric lion, using the process of electro-ejaculation. Mufasa was not revived following the procedure, as “his deteriorating health was a key factor”. 

The semen was then used to artificially inseminate Simba’s mother Kayla. WRS said Kayla was an ideal candidate because she was a proven breeder.

An average African lion has a lifespan of 10 to 14 years in the wild. Mufasa lived till he was 20, but did not father any children in his lifetime due to his aggressive behaviours which resulted in unsuccessful pairing with lionesses.

However, WRS said that his genes would be of “high value in contributing to the genetic diversity and sustainability of African lion populations in zoological institutions”. 

In the first month of Simba’s life, he developed well under Kayla’s watchful eye, but as time passed, keepers found him to be lethargic and having a challenging time suckling.

This may be due to Kayla suffering from inflammation of her mammary glands.

As such, the animal care team decided to supplement Simba’s nutrition, which allows Kayla to care for her young, but would sometimes intervene to bottle feed him.

Kughan Krishnan, the head keeper for carnivores, said: “It was a delicate decision because animals can reject their young following temporary separation.

“Thankfully, Kayla was accepting of the intervention which reflects the trust relationship built up over time between the lioness and her animal care team, that helped to achieve the positive outcome.” 

She is protective of her cub, plays with him and also shares her feed.

Now, Simba is described as healthy and inquisitive. Keepers have started to incorporate small amounts of raw meat in his diet and he can be seen tailing his mother wherever she goes.

Currently, Kayla and Simba are housed in an off-exhibit area to allow them to further strengthen their bond privately. 

In due time, he will be introduced to the rest of his family, including his half-sister Shani and his aunt Kiara, said WRS.