Zoo celebrates birth of Asiatic lion cubs
The cubs and their mother are being monitored via hidden cameras.
The birth of three Asiatic lion cubs at London Zoo has been celebrated as a success for international conservation efforts.
The three cubs were born on 13 March 2024 to seven-year-old mother Arya. Keepers monitored her six-hour labour via hidden cameras to make sure both the mother and the cubs were okay. The father is 14-year-old Bhanu.
The wild population of Asiatic lions stands at just 600 to 700, with the species now found only in the Gir Forest in India. An international breeding programme, which London Zoo is part of, is aiming to create a back up population to help protect the long-term survival of the species.
Kathryn Sanders, London Zoo’s head big cat keeper, said: “We are over the moon to be able to share the amazing news that we’ve had three endangered Asiatic lion cubs born at London Zoo.
“Their arrival is not only hugely exciting for all of us here at London Zoo, but is a huge boost for the conservation breeding programme for these endangered big cats.”
Since their birth, the cubs have been staying in a purpose-built cubbing den with their mother. They opened their eyes after 10 days and have taken their first steps.
The cubs’ sexes will be discovered when they undergo their first veterinary check and receive their vaccinations at around 10 to 11 weeks old. They will then be named.
Ms Sanders added: “We expect that the three-week-old cubs will likely stay inside with mum for a little while yet, although as the weather gets warmer, we might see them venturing outside soon.”
Image © Zoological Society of London
Joanne Webster, a professor of parasitic diseases at the RVC, has been elected as a Fellow of the Royal Society (FRS).
