The Buffalo Zoo has recently welcomed a heartwarming addition to its African Lion Pride with the birth of four active lion cubs on June 2nd and 3rd. These new arrivals are the offspring of Lusaka, the mother, and Tiberius, the father.
The animal care team at the zoo had been closely monitoring Lusaka leading up to her delivery, using remote cameras to keep an eye on her during labor. Three cubs were born on the evening of June 2nd, and the fourth cub arrived in the early hours of the 3rd. It’s quite common for lionesses to have multiple cubs over several hours during childbirth. All four cubs are thriving, nursing well, and displaying signs of excellent health.
At their recent check-up, the cubs, two females and two males, were found to be healthy, growing, and each weighing around seven pounds. For the time being, the cubs will remain behind-the-scenes and off-exhibit, where they will continue bonding with their mother.
Lusaka and Tiberius were paired based on a breeding recommendation from The Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), Species Survival Plan (SSP) for African Lions. This plan aims to maintain a genetically diverse population of this species, contributing to its long-term survival. This marks the third litter for this lion pair. Their previous offspring, Asha, Amirah, Roary, Zahra, and Khari, have been placed in other zoos.
In the upcoming weeks, the cubs and their mother will continue to bond behind the scenes. They will remain off-exhibit until they are older and stronger, at which point they will be introduced to other members of the pride and eventually go outdoors. The Buffalo Zoo encourages the public to stay connected through their social media channels and email alerts to receive updates on the cubs’ public debut and names.
The birth of these lion cubs is not only a cause for celebration but also a reminder of the critical role zoos play in conserving endangered species. The African lion is listed as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) due to factors like habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflicts. With fewer than 40,000 individuals estimated in the wild, the importance of conservation efforts is paramount.
The Buffalo Zoo actively participates in lion conservation through partnerships with other zoos, research initiatives, anti-poaching campaigns, and community engagement programs. By raising awareness and connecting the Buffalo community to these iconic big cats, the zoo contributes significantly to the preservation of African lions and their natural habitats.
Every visit to the Buffalo Zoo helps advance its mission of wildlife conservation and supports its dedication to saving these majestic creatures for generations to come.
10 Mental & Physical Health Benefits of Having Pets
Pets are family members. Like humans, they need love, health care, and attention. But pet parents’ relationships with their pets are not one sided. Pets give so much back in return, improving the health of our minds, bodies, and hearts.
The benefits of having pets are plentiful — and scientifically proven. Pets help their humans live longer, happier, and healthier lives mentally and physically. The Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI) gathers the latest information on the positive health effects of companion animals. These researchers help make the case for adding a pet to a household.
From reducing the risk of heart attacks to alleviating loneliness, these furry family members are contributing to healthy communities.
Let’s talk about those benefits.
Better Mental Health
Pets can contribute to positive mental health through emotional work and practical work. The emotional work can be described as alleviating worries, stress, and depression. You may have noticed that your pet wastes no time noticing and springing into action when you are upset or sad. Their intuition is what makes them great support and therapy animals, and animal-assisted therapy is effective in treating PTSD, anxiety, and depression.
Then there’s the practical work that comes with caring for a pet. This means making sure their individual needs are met. Developing a daily routine of walks and feeding times can help pet parents with mental health conditions feel a sense of purpose that affects other areas of their lives.
The Data: Pets and Mental Health
A 2016 HABRI study explored the role of pets in the social networks of people managing a long‑term mental health problem.
- Pets were found to contribute to a stronger sense of identity in pet owners with mental health conditions, including reducing negative perceptions of a mental health condition or diagnosis.
- Pets provide a sense of security and routine in the relationship, which reinforces stable cognition.
- Pets provide a distraction and disruption from distressing symptoms, such as hearing voices, suicidal thoughts, rumination, and facilitating routine and exercise for those who care for them.
Better Physical Health
Every little bit counts when it comes to physical health benefits, and those daily walks really add up for dog owners. Since they are more likely to meet the criteria for regular moderate exercise, dog parents have lower instances of obesity.
Your heart is one of the biggest spots to see the full benefits of pet ownership. Just the presence of animals has significant impacts on blood pressure, with pet owners having a lower resting blood pressure than people without pet babies.
Cat parents aren’t left out of the healthy heart race. A feline friend in your home reduces your risk of death due to cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attacks. According to the Human Animal Bond Research Institute (HABRI), people without cats have a 40% higher relative risk of heart attack than non‑cat owners.
The Data: Pets and Physical Health
- Approximately 60% of dog walkers met the criteria for regular moderate and/or vigorous leisure‑time physical activity compared with about 45% for non‑dog owners and dog owners who did not walk their dog in a 2005 Michigan Behavioral Risk Factor Survey.
- In a study of adults over the age of 50 with mildly elevated blood pressure, the presence of a pet dog or cat had a significant impact on blood pressure, with dog ownership being associated with lower diastolic and systolic blood pressure compared to people who did not own pets.
- A study of over 2,400 cat owners concluded there was a significantly lower relative risk for death due to cardiovascular diseases, including stroke and heart attack, compared to non‑owners during a 20‑year follow‑up.
Healthier Aging Process
Research has shown that older adults get social and emotional support from their pets that combats loneliness and depression. Aside from promoting exercise and reducing stress, pets also assist in the treatment of long‑term diseases like Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Pet companionship is also key for hospital and cancer patients. When coupled with animal-assisted activities, pets help patients with pain management and in interactions with doctors and nurses. Those patients also responded better to treatments and reported improvements in their quality of life.
The Data: Pets and Aging
- Results of a study of older adults who live alone suggest that pet ownership may act as a buffer against loneliness.
- Results of a one-year study that examined the impact of animal‑assisted therapy (AAT) on patients with chronic pain demonstrated that, following AAT, patients reported reduced pain, discomfort, and stress. Additionally, stress among nursing staff was found to decrease significantly following AAT.
- A study of older adults with mental illness living in long‑term care facilities concluded that AAT reduced depressive symptoms and improved cognitive function.
When we look at the data on mental health, physical health, and aging, it’s clear that pets contribute much to people’s lives in these areas, as well as being the loving companions we’ve always known they are.