Zoologists have been left astounded after one of the lioness' at the Oklahoma City Zoo suddenly grew a mane.
Caretakers noticed that 18-year-old Bridget, the 'beloved' African lion, began to grow the extra hair around her neck and head at the end of 2017.
'After a while, it became obvious to everybody that Bridget was developing something a little different,' associate veterinarian Gretchen Cole told.
Veterinarians have not yet discovered the cause for the 'exceptionally rare' growth, but they were able to take a blood sample from Bridget's tail without placing her under anesthesia.
Cole said the blood sample will be compared to a sample taken from Bridget's sister, 18-year-old Tia, who was born in the same litter as her in 1999.
For male lions, their manes tends to develop when they're about a year old after they experience an increase in testosterone.
'Changes when a female develops characteristics of a male are unusual,' Cole said.
The unusual hair growth won't impact the lion's quality of life.
'Veterinary staff will continue to monitor her closely, but this condition is not likely to affect Bridget’s quality of life,' the zoo said.
They report that, other than the extra hair, 'they see no change in her health status.'
Caretakers noticed that 18-year-old Bridget, the 'beloved' African lion, began to grow the extra hair around her neck and head at the end of 2017.
'After a while, it became obvious to everybody that Bridget was developing something a little different,' associate veterinarian Gretchen Cole told.
Veterinarians have not yet discovered the cause for the 'exceptionally rare' growth, but they were able to take a blood sample from Bridget's tail without placing her under anesthesia.
Cole said the blood sample will be compared to a sample taken from Bridget's sister, 18-year-old Tia, who was born in the same litter as her in 1999.
For male lions, their manes tends to develop when they're about a year old after they experience an increase in testosterone.
'Changes when a female develops characteristics of a male are unusual,' Cole said.
The unusual hair growth won't impact the lion's quality of life.
'Veterinary staff will continue to monitor her closely, but this condition is not likely to affect Bridget’s quality of life,' the zoo said.
They report that, other than the extra hair, 'they see no change in her health status.'
In 2011, a 13-year-old lioness at a zoo in Africa also developed a mane just like Bridget's when her ovary issue resulted in the development of excess testosterone production.
However, the mane receded when it was finally resolved. Just a few years later in 2014, a group of five wild lionesses in Botswana were also observed to have manes and engaged in masculine behavior.
However, because they seem to have developed it early on, experts believe that the cause is likely genetic.
Music: "Bumba Crossing" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com)Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/
Source: Daily Mail, Roaring Earth , Fox News , ABC News
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