He may have a haughty port and huge legs that impose it ... Volcano, the new lion arrived in mid-November at the Vincennes zoo (Paris, 12th arrondissement) from the zoological garden of Rabat (Morocco), has yet to find its place within his new family.
There is still a long way to go between him and Kibo, the zoo's other lion.
"I would not say that they adore each other but rather that they tolerate each other", observes this Friday Alexis Lécu, scientific director of the zoo.
For the moment, moreover, the two males see each other mainly through interposed grids.
The only contacts that took place face to face were in the presence of ... lionesses for safety.
Volcan had some inclinations to play the big guns and win against Kibo.
"But the two lionesses Aswad and Bunni sided with Kibo," says the veterinarian.
Blood ties… trump testoterone.
"It's a bit like geopolitics the arrival of a new feline in an already constituted clan," laughs the specialist.
You must not go too fast, otherwise it turns into a fight!
"
"The ultrasound did not reveal anything"
Volcan still played pretty hearts very quickly.
And on Wednesday, vets and caregivers put Bunni to sleep for an hour to perform an ultrasound and check that the lioness was not in full gestation.
Because very quickly, Volcan and she frolic.
“Unfortunately, the ultrasound did not reveal anything.
But since the lionesses will soon be in heat again, anything is possible!
“, We hope in the alleys of the zoo.
Who knows, with a gestation period of 3-4 months, the birth of lion cubs could delight the zoo and its visitors as early as next summer.
On Wednesday, the team of veterinarians and caretakers from the Vincennes zoo performed an ultrasound on the lioness Bunni.
MNHN / F.-G.
Grandin
In the meantime, in the feline enclosure, the preoccupation of the moment is… who will reign over the heated rock.
A huge rock in full sun where it is obviously good to bask.
“Lions are like cats in a house: they love to stay near the radiator,” laughs Alexis Lécu.
And for the moment, Volcan may be very impressive from the top of its more than 200 kg, the two lionesses Bunni and Savannah do not let themselves be fooled and defend with great paws, all claws out, their place on the rock. .
Resigned, Volcano, for the moment, is content to put a head on the coveted place and bask there as soon as the lionesses go snooping around in the enclosure and have their backs turned.
A small sea lion in need of visitors
While waiting for the feline family to grow, it is on the side of the six-banded armadillos and the maned sea lions that the veterinary team is on the lookout for future gestations and births.
Naya, the little maned sea lion born last summer, has a blast as soon as a person ventures next to her pelvis and rushes to the windows on the lookout for the slightest movement.
If, according to the caretakers, the animals do not suffer from the absence of visitors, Naya would obviously not be against a little more company!