QUADRUPLETS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLV, Issue 21133, 5 September 1938, Page 6

QUADRUPLETS

LIONESS AT AUCKLAND ZOO By TelPerfiPh— Pupsf asroch»l»<’* AUCKLAND, September 4. Repeating her performance of two years ago, the lioness Trixy at the Auckland Zoo has again given birth to quadruplets. Unfortunately she has since rolled on one and only three remain. Lions breed well in captivity, but the birth of four cubs in a single litter is unusual and has seldom been reported from any zoos throughout the world. A normal litter is two, invariably a male add a female, Lut occasionally three are born, the third often being a weakling. Trixy’s surviving cubs are all well. Every care is being taken by the zoo officials not to disturb the lioness for fear that in anger she might hurt her offspring. Their father, Victor, has not yet bee-, allowed to join them, and it will be at least a week before they will be on view to the public. Both about 18 years old, Trixy and Victor have spent most of their lives at the zoo. They have had seven litters, two consisting of four cubs, one of three and four of two, a total of 19. The lioness is usually a good mother and takes great care of her young. Much interest In his family is also generally shown by the father. As parents lions and their consorts compare favourably with tigers and leopards, which are poor parents.