Mother's pride as cub joins zoo baby boom.

Wayne O'Connor

Published 23/10/2014 | 02:30

The new lion explores the lion enclosure at Dublin Zoo

DUBLIN Zoo's baby boom has continued - with the latest member of its lion pride being unveiled.

The cub made her first public appearance yesterday alongside her mum Sita, after she was born in August.
The as yet unnamed Asian lion is considered significant to an international breeding programme for the endangered species.
Currently, there are only 350 Asian lions in the wild - all of which live in the Gir Forest in India.
This new arrival is the second female cub to be delivered at the zoo this year after another, Kuno, arrived there in May. A male cub was also born there in August.
Team leader at Dublin Zoo Ciaran McMahon said the new addition is doing well.
"At two months old, she now weighs an estimated 6kg and has developed a strong bond with mum Sita," he said. "We are excited to see how the relationship between the female cub and Kuno develops."
The zoo is inviting the public to help name the new arrival. Suggestions can be submitted through its Facebook page.
The lion is the ninth arrival at the zoo since May - following a Rothschild giraffe, a Goeldi's monkey, two meerkat pups, three elephants and a zebra foal.
Sita came to Dublin from Mulhouse Zoo in France in 2012 as part of the lion breeding programme, while "experienced father" Kuman came from a zoo in Rotterdam last year.
Mr McMahon said: "These lions are endangered and it is of great conservation importance that zoos maintain a viable population of Asian lions."

Irish Independent

http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/mothers-pride-as-cub-joins-zoo-baby-boom-30686347.html