National Zoo to say goodbye to Baruti, Aslan

The two male lions will be moving soon to a zoo in Canada. Here’s a look at all the zoo’s lion cubs as they’ve grown.

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National Zoo lions

Aslan was named after the majestic lion in the "Chronicles of Narnia" series. He and brother Baruti will soon be moving to a zoo in Calgary, Canada. Zookeepers described the young Aslan, who was born on September 22, 2010, as quiet and curious.

Mehgan Murphy / NATIONAL ZOO

National Zoo lions

The young Baruti was described by keepers as confident and fearless. Born on September 22, 2010 at the National Zoo, Baruti and brother Aslan will soon be moving to a zoo in Canada. His name means "teacher."

Mehgan Murphy / TWP

National Zoo lions

This rare family portrait was taken in December 2010 when the cubs were just months old. While the zoo is saying goodbye to Aslan and Baruti, two other males (Luke and John) and six females (Nababiep, Shera, Fahari, Zuri, Lelie and Lusaka) will stay at the National Zoo.

Astrid Riecken / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

National Zoo lions

Baruti, center right, enjoys a cake as Zuri sits at left, and grown female lion, Shera is seen at top during a first birthday celebration for the seven lion cubs at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park on Friday September 16, 2011 in Washington, DC. Four cubs were born on August 31, 2010 and three were born on September 22, 2010. The cubs were given presents and a cake that was made of ice, two whole cow femurs cut in half, five pounds of shaved beef, and a half-gallon of cow blood. Yum!

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

National Zoo lions

Lelie, an 18-month-old femaile cub wants to play, but her brother John doesn't seem so sure...Looks like he's saying "Just what do you think you're doing!"

Picasa

National Zoo lions

A lion cub tries to leap onto the back of father Luke the lion during a playful session at their den, which is part of the Great Cats Exhibit at the National Zoo in Washington on April 17, 2011. Luke fathered seven cubs born at the zoo last year.

Richard A. Lipski / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

National Zoo lions

Two of the lion cubs play under the watchful eye of one of the female adult lions at The National Zoo. This photo was taken when the cubs were just a few months old.

Astrid Riecken / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

National Zoo lions

Nababiep, left, is seen as her cub, Aslan, and a cub from another mother, Zuri, right, show interest in a box that carried a present for a first birthday celebration for the seven lion cubs at the Smithsonian National Zoological Park on September 16, 2011 in Washington, DC. Four cubs were born on August 31, 2010 and three were born on September 22, 2010. T

Matt McClain / FOR THE WASHINGTON POST

National Zoo lions

We'll miss you. The National Zoo's Baruti and Aslan will soon move to Canada.

Jennifer Zoon, Smithsonian's National Zoo

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National Zoo to say goodbye to Baruti, Aslan

The two male lions will be moving soon to a zoo in Canada. Here’s a look at all the zoo’s lion cubs as they’ve grown.

Featured Photo Galleries