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Summary of Description:
The African lion brothers, Bahati, Usiku, Jasiri, and Kito, turned eight years old on May 17 and celebrated with Rockies-themed enrichment. Animal care specialists created paper mache baseballs, cardboard jerseys, and dyed ice treats for the lions to interact with. After playing with the enrichment, the lions took naps in a shady spot.
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Celebrating Lion Brothers’ Birthday with Rockies-Themed Enrichment
The Denver Zoo recently celebrated the 8th birthday of their four African lion brothers – Bahati, Usiku, Jasiri, and Kito. The animal care specialists developed a unique Rockies-themed enrichment for the lions to make the day extra special. The enrichment included paper mache baseballs, cardboard jerseys, and ice treats dyed black, purple, and white.
The Birthday Boys
The Denver Zoo’s African lion brothers were born May 17, 2013. As they turned eight years old, the zoo wanted to make the day extra special for them. The animal care specialists devised a creative way to celebrate their big day – by providing them with Rockies-themed enrichment.
Rockies-Themed Enrichment
The Colorado Rockies recently partnered with the Denver Zoo. In honor of this partnership, the animal care specialists developed Rockies-themed enrichment. They made paper mache baseballs and cardboard jerseys designed to look like Rockies jerseys. They also made black, purple, and white ice treats to match Rocky’s team colors.
The Lions’ Reaction
The Lion brothers were quick to get involved in the enrichment. They were excited to explore the new items that were brought to them. The paper mache baseballs and cardboard jerseys caught their attention immediately. They played with them, pawed at them, and even bit them to see what they were. Their strong jaws and sharp teeth tore apart the cardboard jerseys in minutes.
The Ice Treats
The ice treats were fascinating for the lions. The treats were made by freezing water with food coloring in it. The result was black, purple, and white colored ice treats that resembled the Rockies team colors. The lions couldn’t resist the treats and licked them eagerly.
Retiring to a Shady Spot
After the exciting enrichment, the lion brothers retired to a shady spot in their habitat to rest. Even though they are apex predators, they still need plenty of rest. The enrichment activity had given them a good workout, and they seemed to enjoy their afternoon nap in the shade.
Conclusion
The Denver Zoo’s African lion brothers Bahati, Usiku, Jasiri, and Kito had a memorable 8th birthday with their Rockies-themed enrichment. The paper mache baseballs, cardboard jerseys, and ice treats dyed black, purple, and white were a hit among the Lions. The playful interaction with the enrichment had given them a well-deserved workout before they retired to a shady spot for their afternoon naps. This is yet another example of how the Denver Zoo enriches its animals’ lives in every way possible.
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Source Description
Please join us in wishing our African lion brothers a pleased birthday! Bahati, Usiku, Jasiri, and Kito turned eight years old on May 17 and celebrated with some extra special Rockies-themed enrichment in honor of our recent partnership with the Colorado Rockies. Our animal care specialists knocked this enrichment out of the park with paper mache baseballs, cardboard jerseys, and ice treats dyed black, purple, and white. Our lion boys had a ball interacting with this enrichment before retiring to a shady spot for their afternoon naps. Happy Belated Birthday, Bahati, Usiku, Jasiri and Kito! 🦁 ⚾️
