Meet Bisky 🦁 Zoo Knoxville’s African lion cub officially has a name! Bisky (pronounced bis-key) was named by donors and supporters of Zoo Knoxville, and he’s continuing to grow bigger and stronger every day. Now weighing around 27 pounds, Bisky can be seen daily between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m. in the Valley of the Kings at Zoo Knoxville. Bisky had to be hand-reared after his mother, Zahra, stopped producing milk when he was just a few weeks old and was no longer receiving the nourishment he needed to survive. Zoo Knoxville’s animal care team made the decision to intervene and begin around-the-clock care to ensure Bisky’s survival and support his development. Because this was necessary to do at such a young age, his parents, Zahra and Maji, may not fully recognize him as their cub. Staff and several experts believe a full introduction may be too risky while he remains significantly smaller than the adult lions. To help him continue learning important lion behaviors, Bisky regularly participates in protected “howdy” sessions with his parents, allowing them to see and interact with one another through a safe barrier. Zoo Knoxville continues consulting with experts from the Association of Zoos and Aquariums (AZA), the African Lion Species Survival Plan (SSP), and other accredited zoological facilities to help determine the safest options for Bisky at this stage of development. Every decision regarding Bisky’s care is made with his long-term well-being in mind, and we’re thrilled with the progress he continues to make. Come say hello to Bisky during your next visit to Zoo Knoxville! #fypツ #zoo #knoxville #cuteanimal #lioncub #lion - @zooknoxville