Ira, the new lion cub at the Moorpark College Zoo, is about to have his first birthday party on Feb. 8 at 1 p.m. at the Moorpark College Zoo.

“We always love putting on events for the public to enjoy, so it’s exciting,” said Mara Rodriguez who is a Instructional Technician and has been a full-time classified staff member at Moorpark College for 24 years.

The Exotic Animal Training and Management (EATM) is working hard to get ready for the big event. There will be something for everyone to enjoy.

“We are going to allow any guest, not just the kids, to decorate crowns to wear,” said Rodriguez. “The theme of the day is cake and crowns because he is the King of the campus.”

The lion is the first African male lion that Moorpark has had in some years.

“We’ve always had the lioness for the last 16 years so it’s nice to finally have the animal that is represented on our uniform and is kind of the headline animal of the EATM program,” said Rodriguez.

Having a new lion cub has brought many opportunities to the college and to the community. Many important figures at Moorpark College will be attending the event including the college’s President Dr. Bernard Luskin, the Dean Lisa Miller, and several board members are expected to be there.

“Bernard Luskin has been so supportive of the zoo and we would love to see our new president here as well,” said Rodriguez.

Having a young lion at the Moorpark zoo is an interesting opportunity for the the community, and being able to watch the lion cub grow into it’s mane and learn how to roar is a rare experience, said Rodriguez.

The event will start at 1 p.m. and cake will be served at 1:30 p.m. Ira will open his presents shortly afterwards.

“The only presents to give a lion, really, is meat,” said Rodriguez.

Admission into the zoo is $6, for seniors and children, $8, for adults, and the zoo opens at 11a.m. For more information, please visit: http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/current-students/teaching-zoo