MEET THE NEW CUBS AT OUR LIVINGSTONE LION VOLUNTEER PROJECT!

Zambia - Wildlife Conservation - Hands-on Lion Conservation Volunteering - Livingstone, Zambia

Apr 19, 2010

Meet the latest additions to our pride in Livingstone
Volunteers have incredible hands-on opportunities working with the lions at our Lion Volunteer Project in Livingstone, Zambia, and no less at the moment as they are excitedly welcoming and orientating the latest cubs to join our project there...

Bemba - This little lioness is named after a language used in the Northern region of Zambia. Bemba arrived with her sister and is settling in well. She has a playful nature and a bold character. Housed with older friends she can easily hold her own, and often puts the three 10 month olds in their place. Bemba was born on 15th December making her 5 months old. Currently tucking into lunch daily her and her sister eats approximately 2kg of meat at each sitting.

Bisa - Sister to Bemba, Bisa is a very playful and lively lion. Enjoying nothing more than destroying a toy that’s just been made for her, out of natural items found in the bush, or sneaking up on her slightly older house mates her big and cheeky personality ensures that all around fall instantly in love with her naughty ways. Bisa is named after a Zambian language found in the Northern, Central and Eastern province, along the Luangwa River and also in the DRC.
Rufiji - Another female addition to the pride, Rufiji is a quiet and shy lioness. She lives with her brother and sister, and also younger siblings Bemba and Bisa. She has a lot of confidence building to do, and has plenty of time in which to do it. Spending time in the bush, walking with staff, volunteers and guests will help this cub to become more confident in her surroundings ensuring a successful future within the program. Rufiji is 10 months old and is named for the language of the Pwani region of Tanzania.

Rwanda - Our newest male lives with his sisters Rufiji and Ruma and their younger counterparts Bemba and Bisa. At 10 months old, born in June 2009, Rwanda is a feisty male, and so he should be sharing a home with 4 lioness’s!
He is lion by name and lion by nature as he fully inhabits the lazy lion trait and is often reluctant to play or interact with his sisters, preferring to relax and sleep in the shade. He loves a good scratch under the chin, and the palm leaves in his large enclosure provide him hours of fun – that’s if he can stay awake!

Ruma - The third wheel in this loveable trio has a cheeky streak to her and thinks she rules the roost. Certainally the most playful of the three, Ruma also enjoys her rest time, and you can often find her relaxing after having exhausted herself on her favorite anthill in the enclosure.
All the new additions to the lion encounter family have been involved in our research teams character traits studies looking at personality traits and characteristics. Rufiji enjoys to play with her siblings, but Bemba is most likely to initiate playful behavior. Ruma and Bemba are both affectionate cubs and were seen as the ones most likely to initiate a good old kiss and cuddle with her pride-mates. “Ruma” is a language of Nigeria.

Can't wait to go and meet these latest additions to our pride in Livingstone?
Email lesley@africanimpact.com for more information about volunteering at this project!