Washingtonians got their first look at a new litter of seven lion cubs at the National Zoo this week, after their handlers decided that they were ready for prime time. Born late this summer at the zoo, they have been gradually adapting to life in the public eye. The cubs have received all their vaccinations and have been plopped into the big cat enclosure’s moat for a swim. They recently received their names, including one named “John,” after John Berry, former Zoo director and current director of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management. During the next few weeks, visitors can only view them for an hour at midday, says the Zoo’s Lindsay Mayer, as they get accustomed to the snow and the Nikon-wielding crowds. Until then, thanks to the Zoo’s online “cub cams,” the bitty kitties are fast becoming seasoned pros in front of the lens.
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