Zamba's wobble: MRI uncovers vitamin shortage

Update

GEORGE NEWS - Zamba, the one-year-old lion cub who underwent a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan at Garden Route Radiology in George last week after experiencing sudden episodic balance issues, has been diagnosed with a vitamin A deficiency.

According to the cub's MRI report, compiled by Dr Christelle le Roux of Vetimaging Specialists in Pretoria, the scan showed mild cerebellar herniation with compression of the medulla oblongata.

This means his cerebellum (the area of the brain responsible for balance and co-ordination) is slightly pushed down into an area it should not normally be.

This, in turn, puts pressure on the medulla oblongata (the lowest part of the brainstem that connects the brain and the spinal cord).

Ruling out inflammatory disease and trauma, the report attributes Zamba's condition to a vitamin A deficiency, sometimes seen in captive lions.

A well-positioned carnivore scientist explained that a vitamin A deficiency in captive lions was often linked to their diet and has been known to cause abnormal growth in the bones of the skull. This, then, leads to the pushing down and subsequent pressure described above.

He added a vitamin A deficiency could catalyse a range of health complications in lions, ranging from blindness, neurological issues, thickened skull bones, compromised immune systems and a lack of muscle co-ordination.

Gillian Clarke and Zamba

However, one of Zamba's co-owners, Jurg Olsen of the Outeniqua Game Farm, said Zamba's vitamin A deficiency was likely caused by limited absorption. He said to address his, they will supplement the cub's diet with beef liver (rich in vitamin A and calories) and administer a vitamin A injection once a week for four weeks, followed by biweekly injections for another eight weeks.

"If any symptoms reappear, we will administer cortisone as needed. Fortunately we caught this issue early, and we're optimistic Zamba will make a full recovery and grow into a strong, impressive male like his father and brothers," Olsen said.

He explained that as a rule of thumb, they specifically added supplements such as Predator Supplement powder, carnivore supplements, thiamine and calcium to their lions' food.

The fact that Zamba's half-brother, Impi, who eats the same food as Zamba, is not showing similar symptoms, leads Olsen to believe the cause of Zamba's limited absorption could be genetic.

Outeniqua Game Farm's pride and joy, the five male lion cubs, Zamba, Impi, Shaka, Rags and Max, are used commercially for guided lion interactions that, according to the farm's website, involve walking and sitting among the lions. As lion breeding is not allowed in the Western Cape, the cubs were born on a farm in the Free State.

Meanwhile, captive lions in South Africa face an uncertain future. This as Cabinet decided just over a year ago to put an end to the controversial practice of captive lion and rhino breeding.

City Press reported the decision came in the wake of a report by a ministerial task team, recommending the closure of the captive breeding sector, including the keeping of lions in captivity for any form of commercial use.

International and domestic welfare groups have raised ethical concerns over the years. Regulatory issues related to the importing and exporting of captive lion trophies and carcases, coupled with a decline in revenue and increase in the cost of keeping lions have reportedly raised concerns about their welfare.

Zamba back home at the Outeniqua Game Farm