Manila Mayor Honey Lacuna announced that the Manila Zoo has welcomed a lion cub and five ostriches as new members of the zoo's growing family.
The lady mayor said the new female lion cub was donated by Manila Achievers Lions Club, District 301-A3. She was named "Isla" and is currently 10 months old.
"Mula po sa pamunuan ng Lungsod kasama ang kawanihan ng mga Libangang Pambayan sa pamumuno ni G. Roland F. Marino, opisyal na nangangasiwa, isang taus-pusong pasasalamat sa mga opisyal ng Manila Achievers Lions Club, District 301-A3, sa kanilang pagbibigay sa Manila Zoo ng isang batang leon (From the city local government together with the Bureau of Public Recreation under the leadership of Mr. Roland F. Marino, supervising official, a heartfelt thank you to the officials of the Manila Achievers Lions Club, District 301-A3, for their donation to Manila Zoo of a young lion)," the mayor said.
She said the cub needs to be nurtured prior to exhibition.
"Habang si Isla po ay ating pinalalaki at pinalalakas, pansamantala po munang hindi siya makikita ng publiko (While Isla is being raised and strengthened by us, the public will not be able to see her for the time being)," she added.
Marino said the the baby lion will have to be taken care of in private until it reaches the maturity age of four to five years old and is ready for mating and to be mixed with other adult lions.
He said that the cub will be checked for possible early readiness when it reaches the age of two to three years old.
He added that there are currently two adult male and one female lions being taken care of in Manila Zoo.
Meanwhile, Marino said that the Masonic Lodge also donated five ostrich chicks to the Manila Zoo.
He noted that the donations continuously coming, in support of the administration of Lacuna-Pangan.