Campus lion Ira’s second birthday is around the corner and the America’s Teaching Zoo is preparing a grand celebration on Feb. 6.

With presents and treats for the birthday boy himself, and crafts and cake for visitors, families will have more activities than usual to participate in such as witnessing Ira’s prediction on who will win the Super Bowl. Kris Romero, zoo operations assistant, believes that it will be a fun event for both visitors and Ira.

“I like the reaction of the kids,” said Romero. “You know, you can see a lion on the television and you can see one on the internet, but when you see one in real life, it is truly awesome.”

The birthday party begins at 1 p.m., cakes will be served to both Ira and the visitors. The arts and crafts table will be open all day for kids to make crowns, which they can bring to the party. Romero said the visitors will be able to notice not only Ira’s growing appearance, but the behaviors he has learned over the past year. Most of those behaviors are meant for staff to perform medical procedures.

“He’ll open his mouth so we can look in and check his teeth instead of having to sedate him,” Romero said.

Kate Donovan, Ira’s trainer for this year, has enjoyed all of her time working with Ira and gushed about his personality and his kitten-like antics.

“He has such a great personality,” she said. “He’s a big goofball. He acts a lot like a kitten.”

Having taught conservation classes for most of her career at the college, Romero believes that allowing zoo visitors to watch a young lion learn and grow will be inspiring, and prove how worthy of conservation these beautiful creatures are. Conservation, according to Romero, begins with awareness and attempts to minimize the impact one has on the environment.

“Turning off the water when you brush your teeth isn’t going to directly affect a male lion in Africa, but it is going to help the animals that we live with around here,” said Romero. “We have to share resources with all kinds of animals, because we’re just another animal on this planet, so we have to make sure that our behavior impacts minimally.”

As well as the usual shows at noon and 2 p.m., behind-the-scenes tours, feedings and student demonstrations, there will be activities and viewings centered around Ira.

Because male lions mature so visually with their growing manes and increasing size, Romero plans to throw many more birthday parties for Ira as he ages. Already, there is a marked change in appearance between his second birthday and his first.

“He’s so much more regal looking,” she said.

Families and students alike are encouraged to join the festivities. Moorpark College students will get in free with a current student ID card, and Romero hopes to see many students take part in the roaring good time that this party is sure to be.

“This place is a great and unknown gem, and I think a lot of people—people who go to the school on campus—don’t even know there’s a zoo here, so we gotta get the word out,” she said.

For more information, visit http://zoo.moorparkcollege.edu/events/