UNITED KINGDOM: Extremely rare Asian lion cubs born at London Zoo make their first public appearance

Record ID: 827250

  • Title: UNITED KINGDOM: Extremely rare Asian lion cubs born at London Zoo make their first public appearance
  • Date: 16th August 2009
  • Summary: LONDON, ENGLAND, UK (AUGUST 13, 2009) (REUTERS) LION ENCLOSURE LOTS OF PHOTOGRAPHERS GATHERED MOTHER ASIAN LION, AVI AND HER TWO NEW CUBS
  • Embargoed: 31st August 2009 13:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: United Kingdom
  • Country: United Kingdom
  • Topics: Nature / Environment,Light / Amusing / Unusual / Quirky
  • Reuters ID: LVADOJP020AEFPRWGODL9XRYFKF2
  • Story Text: Two new extremely rare Asian lion cubs were shown to the public for the first time at London Zoo on Thursday (August 13).
    Their first foray into the limelight attracted international media and cameras snapped away as the tiny cubs ventured out into their new home with their proud mum.
    The 10-week old male and female cubs are the first to be born at London Zoo in a decade. They're the offspring of Abi, aged 10 years and Lucifer, aged six.
    "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," said lion keeper, Malcolm Fitzpatrick.
    "It's not only fantastic news for us, but also for the International Breeding Programme. 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," he said.
    Asian lions once ranged from Greece to India, it was Asian lions that fought in Roman arenas and were virtually exterminated from hunting.
    They now only exist in the wild in the Gir Forest in India, where there are less than 300 living in the small and overcrowded sanctuary. 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. Some 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. Fitzpatrick said in the early 1900's there were only 50 wild lions left in India.
    The two new cubs are the star attraction at the Zoo this summer, but they've still not got names. Keepers are hoping to get inspiration from their father's name, Lucifer, s-called as his animal registration number was 666.
    Fitzpatrick says they've certainly got a cheeky devilish side.
    "They are loving it. It's almost like having a kitten at home, you know, they are running around getting up to all sorts of mischief," he said.
    When the cubs reach maturity, around age 3, one or both will most likely to placed with another zoo, as part of the International Breeding Programme.
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