CHILDREN TO NAME ZOO'S BABY LION; MOORPARK COLLEGE LAUNCHES NATIONWIDE EFFORT FOR NEW CUB.

Byline: John Huddy Daily News Staff Writer

With members of Boys & Girls Clubs of Ventura County looking on, the newest addition to Moorpark College's teaching zoo - a 5-month-old African lioness - was presented to the public Monday.

During the first public viewing of the animal, Exotic Animal Training and Management program director Gary Wilson invited children from throughout Ventura County and Boys & Girls Clubs nationwide to help name the cub.

``This is a great opportunity for the students,'' Wilson said. ``They get to see a lioness as she grows up and the learning she goes through. Students here are very lucky.''

Gary Lucas of Simi Valley was one of several club members at the wild animal zoo Monday to get a close-up view of the lion cub.

``I was looking at the people who were taking care of her at the time, so I wasn't really nervous about being around the baby,'' said the 9-year-old whose leg the playful cub took an immediate liking too. ``I thought she was really cute though.''

Kyle Schultz, 10, agreed with Lucas, also getting a friendly gesture from the exuberant young lion.

``She tried to give me a lion hug,'' said Schultz, a Westlake Village resident. ``I was sort of afraid - but she was really cool.''

The latest addition to the exotic animal zoo at the college was born in a private animal compound in South Carolina. She was brought out to California to debut in the television series ``Born Free,'' in which she made a guest appearance, along with other lion cubs.

Last year, the college zoo's only lion, a male, died of old age at 17. The zoo was looking for another lion for its compound and eventually was given the young cub from the set of ``Born Free.''

For the first few days after he was given the baby lion, Wilson took it home with him at night. He figured the best way to get the animal to bond with him was by letting it sleep in his bed at night.

``She will be a celebrity at the zoo,'' said Jerry Fecht, a history professor at Moorpark College and animal lover. ``The lion will be dedicated to the Boys & Girls Club.''

Last year at the zoo, schoolchildren and Boys & Girls club members from across Ventura County joined in a competition to name a camel - coming up with the name Ramses.

This year, zoo officials decided to include not only Ventura County youngsters, but members from more than 2,000 Boys & Girls clubs nationwide in the contest to the lion.

Names like Nala and Tigger were already being put in the mix. Zoo officials are expecting an influx of names, to be judged by students and staff members of the zoo program at Moorpark College.

``I think I enjoyed it more than the kids,'' said Moorpark Boys & Girls Club program director Denise Dwarte. ``Seeing something in our own town like the baby lion is really great. We were very excited to see it and get a chance to name it.''

Along with the baby lion, the Exotic Animal Zoo at Moorpark College is home to more than 150 other wild animals, representing 115 different species, including: two hyenas; a 4-year-old, 250-pound Bengal tiger named Taj; a red-ruffed lemur from Madagascar named Luna; and a raven named Ebony.

The lion cub will grow to be more than 300 pounds - one of the bigger animals at the zoo, eating at least five pounds of food per day as a baby.

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2 Photos

PHOTO (1--Color) A 5-month-old African lioness makes its debut Monday at the Moorpark College zoo. The college is asking kids to pick a name.

(2--Color in Conejo Edition only) (Ran in Simi and Conejo Editions only) Gary Wilson and Debbie Fahrenbruck from the college's exotic animal program introduce the lion cub to Boys & Girls Club members.

Gene Blevins/Special to the Daily News