Zawadi the lion is named 'Dad of the Year'

The Oregon Zoo has named its 2014 Father of the Year: African lion Zawadi Mungu, proud - if sometimes grouchy - papa to three not-so-little kittens, born at the zoo last Sept. 7. Keepers say the 500-pound cat is not just a KZbin star but a papa par excellence.

[@RasenCore]

00:47 "Oh yes, i love rolling in the grass!! Come here son!!! Let's pla-" 00:58 "Oh, shit they are watching!" *Act tough*

[@Yurek1]

Happened at 00:34 too, I cracked up laughing because all I could think was him thinking " OH SHIT THEY'RE WATCHING "

[@Yurek1]

***** What have you been smoking? It's funny. I don't understand how it could be unfunny or offensive.

[@TheKwachner227]

***** Wow did that guy just say it's stupid for saying the words of the animals? Wow, talk about you're party pooper.

[@RasenCore]

TheKwachner227 ...we fed the troll already, make it starve °-°

[@deliahlober2241]

-Metal Mad- Every video i watch your comment is there O.o

[@thecursor1]

What's interesting is that something so huge and deadly can be so gentle at times.

[@xWonders_worldx]

Thats what ants say about us!

[@smaakjeks]

"Before sunrise he's *your* son..."

[@illmexi7967]

why am I not surprised someone made a reference to Lion King? xD

[@tomato4427]

Your son's awake.

[@user_mac0153]

Then some assh*|e throws a lamb chop into the dogpile...

[@TheChaosDragoness]

Zawadi is one handsome lion, he has a very nice mane :3

[@wickr]

+The Chaos Dragoness Was thinking the exact same thing as i watched the video. Impressive mane on the fella.

[@ShortieLeeroy]

+The Chaos Dragoness He knows it and he´s showing off :-)

[@HelloWorld1947]

He's an Ethiopian lion. Lions with black main are indigenous to Ethiopia and are smaller then the other African cats. There are thousands of them in my country. Check some videos out. They are breathtaking.

[@TheKing-bl2hy]

+Aksum አክሱም ፣ ንግሥት no there not !!!, educate yourself don't just talk about something you clearly don't know about.

[@cryan5]

+The King Why?

[@dhtango]

what a good looking male that is. very muscled up and flawless skin coat. you can tell he has never been in battle.

[@watchensee]

topknocker hamp Well since he's living in a Zoo I highly doubt they allow adult male Lions to come in contact with each other. Otherwise it'd be war in the battle field.

[@mrbranson73]

He battled a case of the shits one time

[@imawormbeforeiamman6052]

He's in a fking zoo!!!

[@MikMoen]

It's like he's constantly yelling at them not to piss him off. Typical father actually.

[@missm5202]

i dont know what you're talking about. this is probably the most affectionate male lion ive ever seen

[@soapiee]

????

[@nolanmendoza43]

I don't think so... He keeps trying to rub up against him like he did with the mom.. it's how lions bond. He's trying to get the cub to reciprocate. That's what he's doing this whole video.

[@Abdi-libaax]

This zoo fed this lion correctly no fat on him.

[@atlaslion5128]

abdi1983 it is said that about 58 to 60 percent of a lion's mass is muscle

[@ooogabooga7475]

Lions are also HUUUGE I went on a safari and the lion was longer than the car (the car was a qashqiy +2)

[@headmaster6261]

OOOGA BOOGA fr I wanna see a grown lion so bad😱😭

[@deborahrunnells8222]

@@headmaster6261 go to a good zoo. Or Africa 🌍

[@IwarinJones]

The look at 0:35 was like "Wait, was is that?!" He is nice and he wanted to cuddle with the lioness. He is a grumpy, but just a little. I love his mane!

[@g-a-i-l-]

I didn't even own a phone when this video came out. Today on his 15th birthday I noticed what a fabulous father he is. Like my father, RIP, gentle and relaxed and fun and kind win The Series.

[@2000Betelgeuse]

How can anybody hunt such a beautiful animal is beyond me

[@mmedefarge]

+2000Betelgeuse Beautiful and endangered. You'd have to be a sociopath to want to kill something that beautiful.

[@weiberfeind]

+2000Betelgeuse makes me wish mass-shooters like that Oregon shooter would target Safari Clubs instead of Colleges

[@lamja00]

+2000Betelgeuse I'm wondering what the prize possession is?

[@julsrobertson5177]

The similarities to domestic 'house cats' is incredible!

[@yani2499]

True

[@princeofcupspoc9073]

The "house cat" is not fully domesticated.

[@pikppa]

They have pretty much the same habits, minus some differences

[@Foxy81824]

He looks super healthy.

[@misfitforever15]

so cute how he keeps rubbing against them, like saying these are mine, MINE

[@marydurham5976]

Well, He certainly is ALOT nicer than other Lion Papa's I've watched on KZbin!!!💖😍🤗😉

[@XxBulletproofxX1]

Male lions look so powerful. What a majestic and fearsome creature.

[@brolysupersaiyan1634]

a grizzly can one shot this lion

[@user-ec4fm6uq8d]

a grizzly also grows to be about 400 - 600 pounds heavier. put them within 100 pounds of each other and watch the lion dominate

[@over9884]

@@brolysupersaiyan1634 oml nobody cares about some fat bear dumb ass

[@user-ko1hi1fy9z]

@@over9884 I do ;)

[@over9884]

@@user-ko1hi1fy9z well I don't do you see the strength of that lion and those teeth. His mane is huge which protects it's neck a bead would get destroyed BTW bears claws are not sharp there blunt

[@rivostain]

0:32 The female lion whispers 'Not here my sexy boy, we are being watched' Male lion looks up and is like What the ****

[@dualsenseentertainment]

Debapriyo Sarkar She's a lioness.

[@tiebear1]

fhritp

[@black_squall]

@@dualsenseentertainment Female lion is a pretty valid term. Smart ass.

[@MarcelH666]

@@black_squall No. That's the same as calling women 'female men'

[@OmarMohamed-qx1vq]

lmfao

[@mariaali2155]

He’s handsome and he looks happy and so loving to his beautiful family ❤

[@rambojambo3738]

0:35 he looks embarrassed when he realises there was someone there. lol

[@orxidea24]

he is a cub in his heart haha even his cubs are wondering what is he doingggg playing around like a kitty :PPP they really seem confused :P they 'd expect him to be more grumpy I suppose !! no fun in that for the little ones hahaha ( Luke is also adorable !! )

[@peewho]

That is probably because he was raised in zoo or such ever since he was a cub. So it happens something that mail lions don't fully develop their dominated pride leader instinct.

[@marydonohoe8200]

These lions are gorgeous. Oregon Zoo takes magnificent care of their critters, and it pays off. I’ve never seen a male lion be so affectionate with his mate, let alone cubs! Sweet stuff.

[@lindataghon5712]

DAD, IS the boss, no doubt about it! GORGEOUS animals!!!

[@wanidahuynh8051]

What's a handsome papa with lovely lion cubs

[@moviemagic8011]

Zawadi Mungu isn't just a father of his three cubs, he's also the king of Orgeon Zoo!

[@teresahurlstone5480]

Do you know if his three cubs are females,or males?

[@Keemac00]

yo this is the first time I have ever seen a male lion actually play with his kids.. most lions i seen on youtube treat their cubs like shit.. lol like dont fuck with me im the king round this bitch.

[@brobert4697]

male lions are noted as best fathers of the animal kingdom actually. they are the only big cat that helps raise the cubs with the female and risks his life for his cubs. lioness does the same making her a best mother.

[@keishmoore1826]

B robert Dead beat men and women should have to watch this the lions and lioness are excellent parents lol

[@chrismescudi6594]

B robert it's amazing that the lion treats his own offspring well and much better than some humans

[@info145]

A happy loving family. More charming than most humans you see...

[@DemPilafian]

That's setting the bar pretty low! 🤣

[@icemanchambers1207]

God bless that family.. The Most beatiful Animals on Earth..

[@sxyngel]

GORGEOUS LION.......

[@DennisAllums]

Id fight him - On play station.

[@IPIay01]

brb going to hug my cat since I can't hug a lion ;(

[@FireEmber345]

IPIay I hugged a lion once. It liked me so much that he lied on my legs and wouldn't let me leave for three hours.

[@IPIay01]

FireEmber345 (つ -‘ _ ‘- )つ I wish i was you for that day

[@xsTunes]

***** Enjoy that hug bro. My dad passed away last year and what I'd do to just have 5 more seconds to meet him again.

[@xominic55]

FireEmber345 That was stupid of you. You should never do something where you pay to take photos/ interact with Big cats because the sad truth is that those animals will be stuffed into cages, abused and as soon as they get past the age where the start to become dangerous they are tossed into the animal black market where they are killed for meat and their skin/bone. Sold to be pets stuffed into cages where the animal cannot move, sold to rich people that line animals up at walls and shoot them.

[@Magani79]

0:34 LOL! cant stop watching this lion's reaction

[@jayjohnson3534]

That male lion is one of the prettiest ones I have ever seen......his mane stands up so beautifully. Julia Johnson

[@harveystew]

Thats one big lion

[@Ck-ps5kz]

that's a normal lion( around 250 kg) , i 've already seen some bigger.

[@arcanesiren629]

For an old lion, he is very handsome. Lionesses would be all over Zawadi, lol

[@Vanhelsing8900]

0:53 "I'm trying to sleep, go away!"

[@AzafTazarden]

It looks like there's catnip in the grass, he just won't stop rolling over it. That lion dad is high as a kite, guys, and maybe that's why he's so chill about his cubs being around.

[@almukhlabi]

This is Swahili, his name, I mean. "Zawadi" which means gift, and "Mungu" meaning god. It translates to "Gift of God".

[@Prince-tv8xq]

The names of most of the characters in the Lion King are in Swahili, too

[@duniacafe]

Ukisema zawadi mungu tu, unapoteza usanifu. Natumai walitaka kusema huyo simba ni zawadi kutoka kwa mungu, au zawadi ya mungu, kwa kifupi.

[@SandraZ227]

1:37 Nope, leave me alone, go bother your father

[@elennacruz9697]

"before sunrise he is *your* son"

[@brendaseigler3923]

Aww ! He is a happy looking lion.

[@TheKoopa4561]

0:36 The way it genuinely looked like the male had a stunned face, mouth open and everything I love it 😂😂🤗

[@kimberlymedley5668]

I thought it was so sweet the way Zawadi Mungu nuzzled his mate and the cubs. What a handsome lion and a gorgeous mane he has. His mate is beautiful and the cubs are so adorable. He is a loving father and "husband". God bless this lion family.

[@deniseyoung4494]

Wow! What a hunk of a lion! He even looks like a warrior! So gorgeous! And so is mom and the cubs!!!💕😍🥰💝🤗💕🙏

[@slinkiegirl2001]

zawadi has 1 beautiful mane what a majestic lion he is he had 4 cubs

[@321minder]

He's a magnificent beast for a captive Lion, top marks Oregon zoo.

[@sarina76667]

"Yes. Yes. I love you. Just give me five more hours of sleep. Here. Lay next to me. No. I'm not trying to play. You will nap and you will learn to like it. Ugh...kids..."

[@cquilty1]

+sarina76667 Your comment is so white bread and so not funny. Ugh...girls...

[@amandaegeskovhald8222]

Lions are just as silly as domestics, lmfao xD On moment they're all high and mighty, strutting around and roaring, next moment they're rolling around in the grass. Cats are silly no matter the size, one of the many reasons why I love them :3

[@pixelwolfie208]

1:00 Zawadi: "What are you looking at?"

[@pixelwolfie208]

It looked like that to me xD

[@rstevens1836]

Zawadi is The Lion King of the family. Take care, beautiful cat family. 🦁❤🐱

[@MissMimiMeow143]

I love to see animals free...but lions live a savage life in the wild...these lions have no scars or war stories, just happy moments...with each other. I'm torn with opinions!

[@jaimeweingart566]

Lol, the dad was having more fun than the kids 🤣🤣

[@AustinSPTD1996]

While this didn't air today exactly, happy Fathers Day, Zawadi Mungu!

[@faitheternal3015]

Awesome, majestic lion! Of course, for the little male cubs, big papa is dad of the year until they are two years old. Then his bared teeth and big paws, once quick to nudge and play, take on new meaning ;)!

[@groundknowledge5989]

Damn!! That lion is super muscular

[@justicewillprevail1106]

Lions are actually really lucky to be in the zoo it seems. No battle no hunting no fights.

[@christinasuhadi]

Should be dad and husband of the year

[@keeturbo]

Look at the muscle mass on that male lion, imagine how strong and powerful he is.

[@jennamarie1223]

So cool to see Zawadi as a dad. He looks so much like his father, Izu.

[@isaacpelayo3109]

All lions look alike

[@thetruthrevealed445]

Not exactly. Some lions have manes that can help me make them apart. Asian lions look like their manes are receding lol and have bigger foreheads than Africa lion imo.

[@pepecanas7023]

@@isaacpelayo3109 Definitively you have not watched The King Lion

[@siosinsin7305]

The male lion truly is something to behold

[@moa3810]

What a loving family!

[@shanetaylor7425]

it was so cute when he came down the hill and so sweetly rub his face against the face of his lioness. their are men out there that could benefit from watching this behavior, because animals like this one show more affection to females then their more evolved captors.

[@Amilakasun1]

Yeah females can take some notes from the lioness too. She doesn't abort her babies for a start.

[@willis1383]

please dont try to bring arguments into a sweet innocent video...

[@davidfrank2824]

It is so wonderful to see the male lion that could kill just about anything that walks to be so gentle with his own cubs. They are just so beautiful and majestic. It's hard to believe that in little as 10 years that the only place you could see wildlife is in a zoo or sanctuary. We really need to protect all wildlife. This video put a big smile on my face. With everything going on around the world right now it's great to watch something so heartwarming.

[@TheLirJEt86]

He’s just ploping around. I love how the Cubs are weary of him. Probably got hurt a few times lmao. Dad tries to be gentle but imagine accidentally hurting him. Lmao

[@jericholacey7206]

I've seen male lions never get to play with his cubs, but this one has a soft spot for his cubs.

[@jakemiketta3868]

Congratulations 🎈🍾🎊🎉, sire

[@rantallaboutit]

This is especially impressive because lions are typically very "hands off" fathers. In the wild especially, males take very little interest in their young, often avoiding them. So to see a male being patient and playful with his cubs is really nice and adorable!!

[@AnastasiaBeaverhousn]

Do you see how dark his mane is???!!! He's a BEAST!!!

[@deangiusti479]

Man that is one seriously large dad. With really large teeth!

[@keagan5379]

0:26 the lion be like da fuq u doin nigga?

[@keagan5379]

0:35 nigga fuck off already

[@whatever2707]

That mane tho! lol I love when they roll on the grass! XD

[@wilmawilson482]

Just Fantastic to watch, what a pleasure to watch !!

[@JSB-2Z-2K]

This lion is so beautiful

[@jen9774]

What a magnificent creature.

[@i.bendigas6856]

Five supersweet cuties!

[@funkyflights]

For the life of me I'll never understand why hunters would want to shoot such an amazing animal .... It's just pathetically sad...

[@yellogalchun]

Cuuuuttttee! :)

[@lindasmart2055]

A MESSAGE to all Africans : please help protect the lions !

[@nyyankees4296]

beautiful lion

[@Kadbros]

He's so affectionate

[@Fatmanstan606]

Swept that leg, old man always knows the best tricks, changes up and keeps you guessin 😏🦁

[@rosenrot234]

Trying to see if I remember something about big cats. Don't they act a bit over dramatic when playing to try and teach the cubs how to fight/hunt? Sort of a fake "Ohhh you got me I am defeated!" reaction?

[@scientist368]

not rly. the cubs do that when they play together. adults teach cubs how to hunt by showing them

[@rosenrot234]

scientist368 I thought it was something like that. Thanks. I don't get to watch a lot of cats in real life because I'm deathly allergic. So I only know bits and pieces about cat behavior. Which sucks because I think cats are cool.

[@scientist368]

i like bears more :D

[@rajaceratops6222]

+scientist368 me too! I like baby bears because they are cute :3

[@elizsantos2000]

MAGNIFICENT BEAST 💯 JUST GORGEOUS ❤️

[@tammybowers9176]

hes the beat dad to his cubs so sweet

[@jannisares]

He's a very happy daddy cat. He smiles.

[@rangogamer1386]

0:56 that lion was like "PISS OFF, I'M TRYING TO SLEEP GODDAMN IT"

[@nolanmendoza43]

I don't think so... He keeps trying to rub up against him like he did with the mom.. it's how lions bond. He's trying to get the cub to reciprocate. That's what he's doing this whole video.

[@therocinante3443]

They're so happy in their tiny cage!

[@yottoo.5037]

Adorable!

[@AmericaWomannn]

So sweet!

[@mariatalvarez9576]

Father of the year congrats! Lion love! ❤❤

[@maureenbernhardt1934]

Oh he is very handsome indeed 💝

[@Sandybeaches07]

He is gorgeous 👍❤️

[@772boi772]

@0:34 looked like he saw a sale for gazette meat buy 1 get 17 free.

[@lovenottheworld5723]

You just want to snuggle up to that cat's mane it's so fluffy.

[@Mike-og3xb]

He's much better around his cubs than our Luke here at the National Zoo in DC. Luke is an ornery somebody...lol

[@eugenwolk]

Lions are wonderful animals

[@maureenawty6629]

Dad is so handsome ☺👍

[@ps_redheaded_siciliana.d420]

BEAUTIFUL

[@dylanphan4036]

So cute

[@blazed3105]

What a beautiful lion ❤️ Awesome mane ❤️dark coloured and all 😜he would have been a rockstar with the ladies in the wild 😜

[@fidenemini4413]

he may rock that king, hardass look, but under that mane he's still just a cat. 0:47

[@maltazar9831]

Lol pause at 0:59, he looks so damn confused and suprised at the same time.

[@AlexandraLucasLeech]

Sooooo cute!

[@carlmichaelherschell5160]

The lion was defo like " WAT THE FUCK ARE YOU SAYING"