Newborn lion cubs are the ‘mane’ attraction at ZSL London Zoo
Friday 21 August 2009
For the first time in 10 years two Asian lion cubs have been born at ZSL London Zoo.
© ZSL - James Godwin
The furry youngsters have been bounding around, getting to know their outside paddock.
The 10-week-old male and female lions are the first cubs to be born to the Zoo’s very own love-cats Abi, 10, and Lucifer, six.
Lucifer’s two little devils are already developing their own personalities with the mischievous male cub proving more adventurous than his daintier sister.
Keepers have even witnessed them playing tug of war over food – like any other brother and sister!
There are less than 300 Asian lions in the wild and they are classified as critically endangered by the IUCN International Union for Conservation of Nature. The cubs are a welcome addition to ZSL London Zoo, which is part of the European Breeding Programme for lions.
Lioness Abi was the last cub to be born at the Zoo in 1999 and the new mother has taken quite a shine to her playful pair.
Madeleine Gordon, a keeper at the Zoo said: "We’re thrilled about the arrival of the cubs. It’s lovely to see that Abi is making such a good mother. They are amazing to watch and are becoming quite the family unit."
View our photo gallery of the cubs
Visitors to the Zoo this summer can expect to see the two youngsters enjoying rough and tumble as they make the most of their moated enclosure.
The fastest way to get into the Zoo is by buying your ticket in advance.
Adopt the new dad
Keep up to date with what's happening with our little cubs by adopting Lucifer, their dad. Each adoption includes a complimentary eTicket and regular email newsletters.
