Litter of rare Asiatic lion cubs are born at Edinburgh Zoo
Litter of rare Asiatic lion cubs are born at Edinburgh Zoo as carnivore expert says ‘every birth is a lifeline’ for the endangered species with only 350 left in the wild
- The cubs, born three weeks ago, are still being nursed by their mother Roberta
- Staff are delighted with the new arrivals but say the coming months are crucial
- Five cubs were born in the litter but two died and the surviving cubs have yet to be weighed and sexed
A litter of lion cubs from an endangered subspecies has been born at Edinburgh Zoo.
The Asiatic lion cubs, born just three weeks ago, are still being nursed by their mother Roberta and are not yet on view to the public.
Staff at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo are delighted with the new arrivals but say the coming months are crucial.
With only 350 Asiatic lions left in the wild the birth of three new cubs is important news for the zoo.
The cubs, (pictured with their mother Roberta) born just three weeks ago, are still being nursed and are not yet on view to the public
Staff at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland’s Edinburgh Zoo are delighted with the new arrivals (pictured with their mother Roberta) but say the coming months are crucial
The endangered species were once common in parts of Asia but are now isolated to just the Gir Forest in Gujarat, India, where around 350 live in the wild. File picture of an Asiatic lion cub
Five cubs were born in the litter three weeks ago. Two died and the surviving cubs have yet to be weighed and sexed.
The zoo’s head of carnivores Alison MacLean said: ‘Mum and cubs are doing well and we are thrilled, though we remain cautious as this is still a very delicate stage, with two of the litter sadly not having survived.
‘Public viewing is therefore closed at the moment to give the family lots of peace and quiet.
‘The three cubs will be weighed and sexed during their first health check in the coming weeks. We will also name them shortly after.
‘Their dad Jayendra is being very affectionate and will stay with Roberta and her youngsters.
‘Asiatic lions previously existed across southwest Asia but are now only found in Gir Forest in India.
What is special about Asiatic lions?
- The endangered species were once common in parts of Asia but are now isolated to just the Gir Forest in Gujarat, India, where around 350 live in the wild.
- Asiatic lions are generally smaller than African lions and the males do not develop such a substantial mane so their ears are more visible.
- The wild population is estimated to be only 350, with threats including poaching, habitat destruction, conflict with humans and a declining number of prey animals.
- Female lions are the pride’s primary hunters. They often work together to prey upon large mammals.
‘The wild population is estimated to be only 350, with threats including poaching, habitat destruction, conflict with humans and a declining number of prey animals.’
Jayendra arrived in Edinburgh from Bristol Zoo in 2012, with Roberta following from Magdeburg Zoo in Germany two years later.
Mrs MacLean added: ‘Roberta and Jayendra are part of the European endangered species programme, with every birth being a potential lifeline and increasing the possibility of future generations being reintroduced into the wild.’
Roberta was selected to be paired with resident male Jayendra through the European Endangered Species Programme, which is run by a Species Coordinator and is supported by experts at other zoos across Europe.
She was chosen as the best match for Jayendra due to her genetic characteristics, as it is extremely important to conserve the genetics of the species, enabling the future generations to be possibly reintroduced back into the wild if the need arises.
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