On World Lion Day, we reflect on the remarkable first year of the nine lion cubs rescued by AAP from a circus in France at the end of 2024. Born between July and August last year, these young lions have come a long way. Time to look back at their journey and development!
From Tiny Cubs to Lions
Each time we see the cubs, we’re amazed by how much they’ve grown. During the rescue, eight small transport crates were used to carry the nine siblings — with the two smallest even sharing one crate. That’s now hard to imagine: the cubs have grown significantly and are quickly outgrowing their early nickname of “fluff balls.”
The five white lions — females Dada, Trésor, Artemis, and Jazz, and male Tzigane — were born in early July. The other four, males Degas and Siam and females Maranie and Zamba, followed in mid-August. All nine have by now celebrated their first birthday.
Exploring the Outdoors
From the start, mothers Jaia and Rubine showed great care for their cubs. After the long journey to AAP, during which they were briefly separated, the group needed time to adjust to their new surroundings and realise they were finally safe.
Following a quarantine period — during which the animals were treated for intestinal parasites and other health issues — they got access to their outdoor enclosure. This new space offered plenty of opportunities for exploration and play. More recently, the cubs were moved to a larger enclosure, complete with a swimming pool, giving them even more room to roam and discover.
Manes and Maturity
Though we still refer to them as “cubs,” they’re quickly growing into young lions. The three males — Tzigane, Degas, and Siam — are beginning to develop manes, and we’re seeing individual personalities and social roles emerge within the group.
The bond between the siblings is strong. They’ve started to show territorial behaviour, especially when animals in neighbouring enclosures approach or when a caretaker passes by.
