The staff at the Sancti Spíritus Zoo, who closely monitor the development of Jorgito, a lion cub born on May 6, have reported that the young lion has gained weight recently but is not yet on display for the public. Taimí Mencía Venegas, the zoo's director, told the state-run Radio Sancti Spíritus that Jorgito's birth is a "success" because it signifies the good nutrition the animals receive at the zoo.
Mencía, who is also a veterinarian, noted that it has been over a decade since a lion cub was successfully born at this zoo, an institution that faced criticism in February for the poor conditions of the animals, many of which were surviving in empty enclosures due to a lack of water.
"He is not yet on public display," Mencía emphasized, mentioning that the cub is showing good vitality and weight gain. "We can't handle him much or touch him," she added, stressing that Mily, the mother lioness, has an instinct to protect her cub.
Additionally, Mencía explained that Jorgito could be at risk if he carried strange scents, such as perfume. She noted that the lioness gave birth during the night, and the staff discovered the newborn cub in the morning. The last lion cub born at the zoo was Jorgito's father, more than a decade ago.
The lioness gave birth to two cubs; however, only one survived and is now receiving all necessary care. The mother, Mily, had previously made headlines in 2019 after undergoing surgery to remove a bullet from her right jaw, according to the Escambray newspaper. She had been injured by Cuban police in an attempt to save a young worker from the El Bosque cafeteria, who often played with her while intoxicated, the zoo director explained.
However, the fate of animals in captivity in Cuba is not always as fortunate. The specimens at the Bartolomé Masó Zoo in Manzanillo, Granma province, suffer from severe malnutrition and extreme weakness due to the lack of food. An investigative report by the independent newspaper 14ymedio uncovered the dire conditions faced by lions, iguanas, monkeys, and other animals in the zoo, who are victims of the scarcity of appropriate food for their diets, a result of Cuba's acute economic crisis, which severely impacts the availability of food for both citizens and animals.
Frequently Asked Questions About Jorgito the Lion Cub
Given the interest in Jorgito's birth and the conditions of animals in Cuban zoos, here are some frequently asked questions and their answers.
When was Jorgito born?
Jorgito was born on May 6.
Why is Jorgito not on public display yet?
Jorgito is not on public display yet because he is still very young and requires additional care and protection from his mother, Mily.
What are the conditions like for other animals in Cuban zoos?
Many animals in Cuban zoos, such as those in the Bartolomé Masó Zoo in Manzanillo, face severe malnutrition and extreme weakness due to a lack of appropriate food, a result of Cuba's economic crisis.