Lion cub born at SF Zoo

A new resident arrived at the San Francisco Zoo early Sunday morning.

Around 2:30 a.m. African lioness Sukari, one of two lionesses housed at the zoo, gave birth to a cub, according to zoo officials.

The zoo’s executive director, Tanya Peterson said:

“We’re past the first 72 hours, which are critical to the cub’s survival. … Sukari is bonding with and nursing her cub well.”

The zoo’s staff will not find out the cub’s gender for approximately three weeks, zoo officials said.

Curator of primates and carnivores at the zoo, Corinne MacDonald said:

“We give the new mother and cub a wider berth, respecting their privacy to encourage their bond.”

Zoo staff will continue to monitor the mother and cub through a remote camera that has been installed in the lioness’ den, according to zoo officials.