L.A. Zoo welcomes tigers, otters and Komodo dragons

The L.A. Zoo welcomed several baby animals over the summer.

Two giant otter pups were born in July, and are being cared for off-site at the Winnick Family Animal Care Center but can be viewed through nursery windows. Once they have matured enough they will go out on-exhibit. Giants otters are exhibited in only five U.S. zoos.

In August, Lulu, the zoo’s female tiger, gave birth to three male Sumatran tiger cubs. Lulu will raise the cubs solely off-exhibit for the next few months.

Also in August, Komodo dragon eggs hatched that were laid by Lima, the Zoo’s female Komodo dragon. The young hatchlings will grow from 14 to 20 inches long and three to four ounces in weight, to a fully mature lizard about nine feet in length and weighing up to 200 or more pounds. The hatchlings are under care in an off-exhibit location.

The Los Angeles Zoo and Botanical Gardens is located in Griffith Park at the junction of the Ventura (134) and Golden State (5) freeways. Admission is $14 for adults and $9 for children ages 2 to 12. The Zoo is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. daily. For information, call (323) 644-4200 or visit the L. A. Zoo Web site at www.lazoo.org.

-Katie Landan