We got an up close and personal look at the three lion boys, born at the Abilene Zoo just over a year ago.
According to Mammal Keeper Denise Ibarra, each one has his own distinct personality, which makes it easy to get attached.
"Its hard not to," she says, "I mean they're so cute. We provide them lots of toys and watch them interact."
Among the toys the Lion Boys frequently get to play with, is a small purple ball that zoo keepers often cover with Rhino feces. Ibarra says the boys love the smell because it's something they would naturally encounter in the wild.
"Every now and then we give it to them and the lions roll in it." says Ibarra, "Its almost like cat nip."
The lion boys will soon join the cast of Disney's Animal Kingdom in sunny Florida as part of a species conservation program. Although zoo keepers are excited for the next chapter in the lion boy's lives, they will be sad to see them leave the Key City.
"Obviously we knew when we had babies here, we weren't going to be able to keep them all as much as we want to." Ibarra says.
The Abilene Zoo is open all week, from 9am to 5pm. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $2.50 for children between the ages of 3-12. All children under the ages of three are free.
According to Mammal Keeper Denise Ibarra, each one has his own distinct personality, which makes it easy to get attached.
"Its hard not to," she says, "I mean they're so cute. We provide them lots of toys and watch them interact."
Among the toys the Lion Boys frequently get to play with, is a small purple ball that zoo keepers often cover with Rhino feces. Ibarra says the boys love the smell because it's something they would naturally encounter in the wild.
"Every now and then we give it to them and the lions roll in it." says Ibarra, "Its almost like cat nip."
The lion boys will soon join the cast of Disney's Animal Kingdom in sunny Florida as part of a species conservation program. Although zoo keepers are excited for the next chapter in the lion boy's lives, they will be sad to see them leave the Key City.
"Obviously we knew when we had babies here, we weren't going to be able to keep them all as much as we want to." Ibarra says.
The Abilene Zoo is open all week, from 9am to 5pm. Tickets are $5 for adults, $4 for seniors, and $2.50 for children between the ages of 3-12. All children under the ages of three are free.
