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Lion cubs from endangered Asiatic subspecies born at Edinburgh Zoo
Last updated: 6 September 2019 - 3.21pm
Staff say the coming months are crucial for the new arrivals..
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 (RZSS) Edinburgh
Zoo Staff are delighted with the new arrivals but say the coming months
are crucial.
Roberta originally gave birth to five cubs, with three surviving.
Alison
MacLean, the zoo’s head of carnivores, 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.” The lion cubs are settling into life at Edinburgh Zoo with their mother Roberta (RZSS/PA)Jayendra arrived in Edinburgh from Bristol Zoo in 2012, with Roberta following from Magdeburg Zoo in Germany two years later.
Asiatic
lions are generally smaller than African lions and the males do not
develop such a substantial mane so their ears are more visible.
They previously existed across south-west Asia but are now only found in Gir Forest in India.
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.
Mrs MacLean said: “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.”
https://home.bt.com/news/uk-news/lion-cubs-from-endangered-asiatic-subspecies-born-at-edinburgh-zoo-11364390999228
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