Prepare for cuteness overload as five lion cubs born at Woburn Safari Park take their first steps outside

Pictures capture mother with her mini pride
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Look at these adorable lion cubs as they take their first steps outside.

It would seem mum Dakota will certainly have her paws full with these cuties as yesterday (June 29) marked their first day out.

And the mini pride discovered their new playground; the outdoor paddock adjacent to their specially designed house.

The lion cubsThe lion cubs
The lion cubs

The latest arrivals were born to mother Dakota and father Joco in the early hours of the morning, during lockdown on the April 24. These cubs, along with the pair that were born in July last year to Dakota’s own daughter, Zuri, has seen the pride increase to 13 lions in total.

This is Dakota’s second litter, following the five she gave birth to in 2014, and she is yet again proving herself to be a natural mother.

Keepers have increased Dakota’s feeds to ensure she is able to produce plenty of milk for her large litter, until they are fully weaned at around six to eight months old. The cubs have already been seen giving mum’s meat a taste at only six weeks of age.

Dakota is being fed five days out of every seven, with keepers monitoring how much she eats each day to decide what days she is fed on. Normally the lions are fed large meals every four days to mimic wild hunting patterns, including feast days and fast periods.

The lion cubsThe lion cubs
The lion cubs

The cubs have now had their first health check and vaccinations and are now nine weeks old. They have been sexed and the litter includes four boys and one girl.

Craig Lancaster, head of Ccrnivores, said: “It is wonderful to welcome yet another litter of cubs to the park, especially one as large as this one. The cubs are all looking healthy and are content in their surroundings.”

As well as Dakota, Joco and their new arrivals, the Woburn lion pride also includes Abi, Tyra, Tallulah and Zuri with her two young cubs, Kahari and Kojo.

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