Rare Asian Lion Cubs are Star Attraction at London Zoo

Two new extremely rare Asian lion cubs were shown to the public for the first time at a London Zoo. The 10-week old male and female cubs are the first to be born at the zoo in a decade. They're the offspring of ten year old Abi and six year old Lucifer.

[Malcolm Fitzpatrick, Lion Keeper]:
"We are fantastically excited here at London Zoo because today's the first time that our two Asian lion cubs have come out into this enclosure with their mother Abi, and it's not only fantastic news for us, but for the International Breeding Program. There are less than 200 of these Asian lions in captivity, and in fact, so rare in the wild, less than 300. So to have two births here at London Zoo is great for us and also great for the Asian lion."

Asian lions once ranged from Greece to India, and are now virtually exterminated as a result of hunting. There are less than 300 living in the small sanctuary in Indias Gir Forest. Competition for food and space forces the lions out of the reserve and into conflict with local people. In 2007 alone, 32 lions were killed — one through contact with electric fences, others from poisoning.




Although the numbers are frighteningly low and the Asian lion is on the brink of extinction, the situation is slowly improving.




The two new cubs are the star attraction at the Zoo this summer. When the cubs reach maturity, at around age three, one or both will most likely be placed in another zoo, as part of the International Breeding Program.

Category:

Pets & Animals

Tags:

• ntd
• ntdtv
• News
• Asian
• Lion
• Cubs
• Star
• Attraction
• London
• Zoo
• International
• Breeding
• Program
• Greece
• India
• extinction