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- Born on June 5, male lion cub Raon has grown to more than 5.5 kilograms through round-the-clock hand-rearing by Everland zookeepers
- Named by Samsung Lions pitcher Yang Chang-seop, Raon began meeting visitors at Everland’s Ppuppa Town on August 5
Everland, operated by Samsung C&T Resort Group, is welcoming visitors to meet Raon, the first lion cub born at the park in eight years. The two-month-old male cub began greeting visitors at Ppuppa Town in the Everland Zoo on August 5.
Raon was born at Safari World on June 5, but his first days did not unfold quite as expected. When his mother was unable to care for him shortly after birth, Everland’s zookeepers stepped in. They became his constant caregivers, bottle-feeding him day and night and watching over his health with close attention.
With their round-the-clock care, Raon has grown steadily and now weighs more than 5.5 kilograms. At approximately two months old, he is ready to take a new step meeting Everland’s visitors for the first time.
A Warm Welcome for Everland’s Newest Lion Cub
News of Everland’s first lion cub birth in eight years was met with an outpouring of support across online communities and social media. Messages included, “Welcome to the world, adorable Raon,” “Grow up to be a healthy and courageous lion,” and “Stay healthy so we can meet you soon.”
Raon’s name also carries a special connection to the Samsung Lions. After the KBO All-Star Game, pitcher Chang-seop Yang visited Everland during the league break and personally gave the cub the same name as Raon, the youngest character in the team’s Bleo Family mascot lineup. The story quickly became a favorite among fans.
“I hope Raon grows up strong and one day reigns over Everland’s safari as its true king,” Yang said.
Raon Takes His First Steps at Ppuppa Town
“Thanks to the dedication and attentive care of our zookeepers, Raon has grown into a healthy cub and is finally meeting visitors at Ppuppa Town,” an Everland representative said. “As he takes his first curious steps into the world, we hope many people will continue to cheer him on.”
Meanwhile, the Samsung Lions finished the first half of the season in first place and continue to compete in a close race for the lead in the second half. With Everland’s lucky lion cub sharing a name with the youngest member of the Bleo Family, baseball fans now have one more reason to cheer for Raon and to wonder whether he might send a little winning energy to the Lions.
A Starlit Camping Atmosphere Beyond the Experience Zone
The surrounding area extends the experience through a Starlight Camping theme. From Ppuppa Town to the Lost Valley education center, photo zones and lighting installations invite visitors to capture summer-night memories alongside firefly motifs.
Camping chairs, a campfire setting, and other themed elements complete the atmosphere, giving the area the feeling of a summer camping trip after dark.
“Since expanding the firefly festival into a completely free program this year, we have welcomed many visitors every day,” an Everland representative said. “We hope families can observe the mysterious light created by nature at close range, appreciate the preciousness of life, and enjoy the romance of a summer night together.”
For full details on operating hours and park information, visit the Everland website or check out the mobile app.
International visitors can also enjoy a range of special admission offers when presenting eligible VISA, JCB, or T-money cards, or by showing eligible boarding passes from Asiana Airlines. Visitors can also enjoy 25% off the Everland Pass through Singapore Airlines’ Kris+ platform, which can be accessed using a KrisFlyer membership, while Discover Seoul Pass holders can enjoy complimentary admission as part of their pass benefits.
