March 13, 2009
Six Flags Wild Safari Welcomes Rare African Lion Twins
Six Flags Wild Safari, the largest drive-thru safari outside of Africa, welcomes two rare African lion cub births. In the last three decades, the lion population has declined approximately 90 percent due mostly to habitat destruction, lack of prey, human expansion and hunting. The Six Flags Wild Safari staff is proud to welcome the healthy newborns to the park's previous population of seven lions.
The cubs were born in the African Section of the safari to first time mother Nala and father King. Six Flags Wild Safari staff observes all births and conducts baby-wellness checks. “We try to maintain a hands-off operation and allow nature to take its course,” said Dr. William Rives, a Six Flags Wild Safari exotic animal expert for 17 years. “Sometimes inexperienced mothers become overwhelmed and abandon their cubs. Once we noticed that Nala was not nursing, we stepped in to keep the cubs healthy and we're pleased to announce everyone is doing well.”
The cubs were relocated to a nursery where they will be cared for by our safari staff. Safari visitors can see the cubs playing at the Exploration Station beginning this spring. Once the twins can care for themselves, they will be re-introduced into the lion pride in the African Section of the Wild Safari.
“These births are very significant for the Wild Safari and the threatened animal populations,” said Dr. Rives. “It's been nearly 20 years since we had a lion birth and we are very excited to have two healthy cubs join our safari.”
The Six Flags Wild Safari is dedicated to providing a one-of-a-kind safari experience where guests can get up close to rare and exotic animals from around the globe allowing them to understand why it is important for humans and wildlife to have sustainable environmental interactions.
Park guests can see the two newborn African lion additions and more than 1,200 other Wild Safari residents beginning April 4. The Wild Safari is open from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. any theme park operating day except Fridays during Fright Fest. Visit sixflags.com or call 732/928-2000 for the complete operating calendar and more information.
About Six Flags, Inc.
Six Flags, Inc. is the world's largest regional theme park company with 20 parks across the United States, Mexico and Canada, and soon will be expanding beyond North America with destinations in Dubai and Qatar. Since 1961, hundreds of millions of families have trusted Six Flags to combine friendly-clean-fast-safe service with affordable, value-packed thrills, record-shattering roller coasters and special events like the Summer Concert Series, Fright Fest and Holiday in the Park. Six Flags' wide array of entertainment options reaches all demographics - families, teens, tweens and thrill seekers alike - featuring themed attractions based on skateboarding legend Tony Hawk, the ultimate daredevil Evel Knievel, movie franchises The Dark Knight and The Mummy; as well as world-renowned, kid-friendly brands including LOONEY TUNES, the Justice League of America,
The Wiggles and Thomas the Tank Engine.
Six Flags continues to develop new avenues for growth, acquiring ownership and management of Dick Clark Productions, producer of such perennial television hits as the American Music Awards, the Golden Globe Awards, the Academy of Country Music Awards, Dick Clark's New Year's Rockin' Eve and So You Think You Can Dance. Six Flags, Inc. is a publicly-traded corporation (NYSE:SIX) headquartered in
New York City.
