Zoo veterinarian Katharine Hope (left) and Lion/Tiger keeper Rebecca Stites examine one of the four lion cubs born to the National Zoo’s 5-year-old lioness Shera in late August. On Sept. 22, the Zoo’s 6-year-old lioness Nababiep gave birth to three more cubs. Luke, the Zoo’s 4-year-old male lion, is father to all seven cubs and is the most genetically valuable lion in the Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ Species Survival Plan for African lions.(Photo by Mehgan Murphy)
