logo
Lion Country Safari welcomes two female African lion cubs, launches live cub cam

Lion Country Safari welcomes two female African lion cubs, launches live cub cam

Yahoo05-06-2025
Lion Country Safari, the drive-through park that is home to more than 85 species of animals in Loxahatchee, celebrated the birth of two African lion cubs in April, 2025.
The cubs are currently bonding with their mother in a private area and are expected to make their public debut in the lion habitat in the coming months.
They received their first health check on May 6, and the park's animal care staff say both cubs are in good health and developing well.
The park is home to a pride of 12 African lions — five males and seven females — the largest group of its kind under human care within Association of Zoos and Aquariums institutions. The lions live in a 6-acre habitat equipped with specialized dens for birthing and daily care.
The female cubs, sired by 10-year-old Vander and 5-year-old Mara, are currently unnamed. The park is inviting the public to vote for their favorite names on Lion Country Safari's website.
Click here to vote
For the first time in the park's nearly 60-year history, a live 'Cub Cam' has been launched, allowing global viewers to watch the cubs nurse, play, and grow in real time.
Click here for the live stream
Diamond Walker is a journalist at The Palm Beach Post, part of the USA TODAY Florida Network. You can reach her at dkwalker@gannett.com. Help support our journalism. Subscribe today
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Lion Country Safari zoo welcomes African lion cubs, livestream cub cam
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

London mayor to visit Lagos, 3 other African cities as part of UK-Africa engagement
London mayor to visit Lagos, 3 other African cities as part of UK-Africa engagement

Business Insider

time2 hours ago

  • Business Insider

London mayor to visit Lagos, 3 other African cities as part of UK-Africa engagement

London Mayor Sadiq Khan is set to undertake a historic trade mission to Africa, aimed at strengthening ties between the UK capital and key economies on the continent. London Mayor Sadiq Khan is embarking on a historic trade mission to Africa, focusing on enhancing ties with major cities Khan's itinerary includes visits to Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg, and Cape Town, recognized as economic and cultural hubs. The visit marks the first official African trade mission by a London Mayor, highlighting a commitment to fostering global partnerships. London Mayor Sadiq Khan is set to visit four major African cities - Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg, and Cape Town as part of a UK-Africa engagement tour aimed at strengthening trade, investment, and cultural cooperation between the United Kingdom and the African continent. The tour reflects London's growing commitment to deepening global relationships beyond Europe and will celebrate both the historical and contemporary connections between the UK capital and Africa. According to City Hall, the visit aims to highlight the contributions of African communities to London's diversity and economy while forging new partnerships in business, technology, and the creative industries. Speaking on his official X profile, Khan confirmed his travel plans, saying, ' Lagos, Accra, Johannesburg and Cape Town; These will be my stops later this month on the first trade mission to Africa by a Mayor of London.' The announcement follows his recent visit to Flygerians, a Nigerian restaurant in Peckham, where he met with business owners to witness first-hand the contributions of African entrepreneurs to the city's economy. Africa's big economies on target The Africa trip, first announced in December last year, is part of a strategic trade and diplomatic outreach aimed at deepening business, environmental, and cultural ties between London and key African economies. Mayor Sadiq Khan's itinerary will take him to four major commercial hubs across Nigeria (Lagos), Ghana (Accra), and South Africa (Cape Town and Johannesburg), cities regarded as some of Africa's most dynamic economic centers. His visit will include high-level meetings with political and business leaders, as well as engagements with cultural institutions and members of the African diaspora. Sir Sadiq Khan said: 'I'm delighted to announce that later this month I will be visiting Nigeria, Ghana and South Africa to bang the drum for further investment in London and strengthen the cultural ties we have with each country." 'With growing populations, rapidly advancing technology hubs and an appetite for boosting our trading relationships, this trade mission will be a fantastic opportunity to drive further investment here in London and further deepen our partnerships.' In Nigeria and Ghana, West Africa's largest economies, Khan is expected to pursue new partnerships in technology, fintech, education, and infrastructure. Meanwhile, in South Africa, the UK's largest trading partner on the continent, the focus will be on green investment and fostering city-to-city cooperation on urban sustainability and innovation.

African countries without a functional national airline as of June 2025
African countries without a functional national airline as of June 2025

Business Insider

timea day ago

  • Business Insider

African countries without a functional national airline as of June 2025

Most of us can name a few national airlines without even thinking. Emirates instantly brings the UAE to mind, and Qantas proudly flies as 'The Spirit of Australia. These national carriers are symbols of national pride, identity, and ambition. National airlines serve as symbols of national identity and play key roles in improving tourism, employment, and trade. Several African countries, including Nigeria, currently lack a functional national airline despite potential benefits. Some African nations, such as Ethiopia and Rwanda, have achieved success and growth with their flag carriers. Emirates instantly brings the UAE to mind, and Qantas proudly flies as 'The Spirit of Australia. These national carriers are symbols of national pride, identity, and ambition. But while many countries have them, some African countries are still without a functional national airline. A national airline often plays a critical role in connecting people, driving tourism, creating jobs, and boosting trade. Especially for landlocked or tourism-dependent countries, having a flag carrier can mean the difference between economic isolation and opportunity. However, years of underfunding, political interference, corruption, and poor infrastructure have grounded many national carrier dreams before they could take flight. Some national airlines have collapsed under the weight of debt. Others have been lost in a tangle of bureaucracy or ended up as cautionary tales of mismanagement. Take Nigeria, for example. It's the most populous country in Africa, huge market, and massive potential. And yet, it currently has no national airline. From 1958 to 2003, Nigeria Airways proudly carried the flag. It had everything from Boeing 737s and 747s to Airbus A310s. But after decades of financial trouble, the airline was grounded for good. Since then, Nigeria has tried, again and again, to launch a new national carrier. By some counts, there've been at least 11 attempts. The most recent, Nigeria Air, even got as far as unveiling branding and aircraft. But like those before it, the project has stalled, caught in a web of political wrangling and public scepticism. Below are the African countries without a functional national airline as of June 2025: In contrast, several African nations are reviving or expanding their flag carriers. Ethiopia's state-owned Ethiopian Airlines remains a model of success. Countries like Rwanda (RwandAir), Tanzania (Air Tanzania), and Egypt (EgyptAir) continue to invest in their national fleets.

8 must-do adventures in Namibia
8 must-do adventures in Namibia

National Geographic

time2 days ago

  • National Geographic

8 must-do adventures in Namibia

Namibia is a southwestern African nation roughly twice the size of California, known for having the world's oldest desert. The Namib Desert is the scene for many of Namibia's must-do adventures, from hiking up Sossusvlei's distinctive red and orange dunes at sunrise to spending days exploring the Tok Tokkie Trails on foot. Despite the harsh desert conditions, Namibia offers abundant wildlife viewing opportunities. Watch elephants, giraffes, zebras, lions, wildebeests, oryx, and other animals congregate at watering holes in Etosha National Park. In other locations, spot desert elephants along dry and ephemeral riverbeds, track rhinos on foot, and learn about conservation work to protect leopards, pangolins, and other species. Travelers should not miss out on these eight experiences when visiting Namibia. (Why you should go to Namibia now.) 1. Hike the Tok Tokkie Trails and sleep under the stars Spend three days hiking and two nights camping under the stars in 'dune beds' along the Tok Tokkie Trails in the NamibRand Nature Reserve. Look up at the Magellanic Clouds, Southern Cross, and Milky Way, including its satellite galaxies, while enjoying some of the planet's darkest and least light-polluted skies in Africa's first International Dark Sky Reserve. Exploring the desert on foot allows visitors to observe wildlife such as oryx, zebras, and giraffes, as well as to appreciate the wind-carved ripples in the dunes and the tiny tracks left by Tok-Tokkie beetles, geckos, moles, jackals, and other animals. While on car-based safaris, Wilderness Travel guide Peter Nuugonya says it's challenging to see all the fine details of the natural environment, such as mysterious fairy circles or tiny insect tracks left in the sand. However, getting out on foot opens up a new world of exploration. 'If you think of the Namib Desert itself, where the Tok Tokkie Trails are located, the Namib Desert is very rich when it comes to the small creatures,' he says. 2. Track desert elephants Namibia is home to a group of fascinating desert elephants that reside in the Kunene Region, and the best way to see them is to join a guide for a desert tracking experience. Explore dry and ephemeral riverbeds looking for signs of elephants, including enormous footprints and fresh piles of dung. If you're lucky and find an elephant—or a group of them—you can watch them munch on trees and even interact in family groups. The area is also breathtakingly quiet, and NamibRand Nature Reserve was designated Africa's first Wilderness Quiet Park by Quiet Parks International in 2024.'You can hear your heartbeat at times,' says Nuugonya. (Desert hikes and camping under the stars on a budget safari in Namibia) 3. Hike the Sossusvlei dunes at sunrise Watch the sun rise while hiking some of the world's most impressive dunes at Sossusvlei. As the sun climbs in the sky, the dunes transform with brilliant shades of red, orange, and ochre, and early morning is the perfect time for hikers to ascend before the day gets too warm. Wind creates an ever-changing array of ripples and shapes in the dunes, which get their distinctive color from iron oxide. After topping a dune, you can head back down and spend some time exploring Deadvlei to see the gnarled camel thorn trees set against the white clay pan and red dunes. 4. See ancient rock art at a UNESCO World Heritage site Travelers should add a visit to the Twyfelfontein rock engraving site in Namibia's Kunene Region to explore the country's Indigenous people and their culture. Photograph by Frans Lanting, National Geographic Image Collection Gaze at ancient rock art that dates back to the Late Stone Age at Twyfelfontein, a designated UNESCO World Heritage site. The site is home to an extensive collection of rock art, including engravings and paintings, believed to have been created by the Indigenous San people. See art depicting rhinos, elephants, ostriches, giraffes, zebras, and other wildlife, along with a few images of humans, and an impressive collection of human and animal footprints. Short hiking trails and viewing platforms provide good vantage points for a fascinating peek into this open-air gallery. (Eight ultimate adventures for every ability in Namibia) 5. Track leopards and pangolins at Okonjima Nature Reserve Visit Okonjima Nature Reserve for a chance to track leopards and pangolins and learn about conservation and research projects on-site. The 55,000-acre reserve is a research area for leopards, brown hyenas, pangolins, and other species. Sign up for a leopard tracking excursion to accompany a guide in a vehicle and use telemetry to track leopards. The technology makes spotting them easier. Guides also record data about the animals and their behavior. You can opt for pangolin tracking in the late afternoon or evening, among other options. Several lodging options are available on-site, including Okonjima Luxury Bush Camp and Okonjima Plains Camp. This reserve is also home to the AfriCat Foundation. Since 1991, the foundation has worked to help farmers and wildcats coexist, and today, researchers and veterinarians collaborate to save the cats. 6. Witness world-class wildlife viewing at Etosha National Park The 1,800-square-mile Etosha Pan is home to a diverse array of wildlife, including elephants. Photograph by Chris Schmid, National Geographic Image Collection A lioness and her two cubs rest in the shade at Etosha National Park. Photograph by Chris Schmid, National Geographic Image Collection A young Leopard hides in the tall grass at Etosha National Park. Photograph by Chris Schmid, National Geographic Image Collection The Etosha Pan is so large that it can be seen from space. This 1,800-square-mile salt pan is home to numerous watering holes where wildlife gather in Etosha National Park. Take a tour or drive yourself to this northern Namibia park, but be aware that you will need to remain in your car for your safety, except at designated fenced rest areas. Watch from your vehicle as animals congregate around watering holes, taking the time to enjoy the elephants, giraffes, wildebeests, oryx, zebra, oryx, lions, cheetahs, and more. 7. Take a game drive in Ongava Private Reserve Go for a game drive in the 74,000-acre Ongava Private Reserve to see rhinos, leopards, lions, elephants, jackals, impalas, zebras, and a variety of other wildlife. The reserve is situated near Etosha National Park, and offers sundown game drives, waterholes near accommodations, and is also home to the Ongava Research Centre. 8. Track rhinos on foot with dedicated rangers In Namibia, a group of dedicated rangers from the Save the Rhino Trust works to protect rhinos from poachers in the Kunene Region, and it is sometimes possible to join them on foot to see a rhino. If rangers spot a rhino, guides bring guests—clad in neutral clothing without any shiny objects—to see them, walking low to the ground and stepping as quietly as possible for a peek at the animals. (Learning to protect Namibia's endangered rhinos on a new conservation bootcamp) This trip was created with the support of Wilderness Travel. GO WITH NAT GEO: Travel with National Geographic Journeys and seek out endangered black rhinos through Etosha National Park in Namibia." For more info, check out our Journeys: Wonders of Namibia. Kristen Pope is a freelance writer based near Jackson Hole, Wyoming, who covers adventure travel, outdoor recreation, astrotourism, wildlife, conservation, and science.

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store