A lion cub was born at the Park of Legends zoo in Lima on June 29 for the first time in over 20 years.

The zoo located in San Miguel will have one more celebrant for the national independence day this year with the arrival of Chiclayanita, Spanish for “Chiclayo girl.” Weighing in at just under three pounds, the cub is healthy with a shiny coat.

“The Park of Legends is filled with joy and excitement to introduce our little lion, ‘CHICLAYANITA’, born on June 29,” reads the announcement on the zoo’s Facebook page.

Chiclayanita’s loving mother, Bonita, breastfeeds and protects her while Sultan, the cub’s father, stays in his cage nearby. His presence is believed to be risky for the mother and cub.

Lima mayor Luis Castaneda came to the zoo to check on Chiclayanita and pose for a photo. He told Andina that she is Lima’s most important birth for the last 20 years.

The zoo specialists oversee the pair to make sure the mother makes a good recovery and that the cub undergoes proper development. The cats live on wooden pallets and are given hay for bedding.

Sources

Despues de 20 anos nace leoncita en cautiverio en el parque de las leyendas (Municipalidad de Lima)

Chiclayanita, una cria de leon es la nueva habitant del Parque de las Leyendas (Andina)