OKC Zoo celebrates five lion cubs' first birthday

Join Oklahoma City Zoo's African lion cubs' first birthday celebration. Enrichment activities begin at 9:30 a.m.

Tuesday, May 20th 2025, 12:53 pm

By: Colby Thelen

Oklahoma City -

The Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden is set to celebrate the first birthday of five African lion cubs.

On Tuesday, lion siblings Hugo, Henri, Lou, Pascal, and Herman will turn one year old, and the zoo plans to celebrate with enrichment activities. Guests are encouraged to take in all the fun starting at 9:30 a.m.

WATCH THE PARTY: The Oklahoma City Zoo throws 1st birthday bash for 5 lion cubs: VIDEO EXTRA

“These days, the cubs will interact with anything that they can tear up or sink their teeth into, including special treats like cantaloupes and pumpkins, and lion-approved toys,” shared Tyler Boyd, OKC Zoo’s Curator of Carnivore. “However, sticks and their siblings are still the biggest hits!”

The zoo says the cubs are healthy and thriving as their manes begin to come in.

Currently, the wild population is decreasing due to habitat loss, illegal hunting, and human interaction, and the total population is less than 40,000, according to researchers.

The Oklahoma City Zoo participates in the Species Survival Plan, which provides breeding recommendations.

The five lion brothers are the second litter born to parents Dunia and Herman.

Colby Thelen

Colby Thelen joined the News 9 team in 2020, and he co-anchors News 9 This Morning on weekdays. He has a passion for storytelling and is especially drawn to stories that highlight conservation and culture. Some of Colby’s favorite projects have been traveling to Africa and Mexico with the Oklahoma City Zoo, highlighting their different conservation efforts.