Whipsnade delight at litter of lion cubs
Monday 5 June 2006
ZSL Whipsnade Zoo is proud to announce the arrival of four extremely cute lion cubs.
© J. O’Reilly / South Beds News Agency
The quartet were born to mother Mashaka Lila and proud father Spike eight weeks ago and are now enjoying the outdoors with the rest of the pride.
The cubs’ arrival is creating a huge buzz at Whipsnade, which has not seen the successful birth of a lion litter for 30 years.
Cliff Tack, Team Leader of the Africa section said: ‘We are really pleased with the arrival of the cubs. These animals are vulnerable in the wild and their numbers are declining.
'Our work at Whipsnade is closely tied to the Institute of Zoology’s field work in Tanzania to conserve African lions.’
Populations of African lions are endangered and in decline in the wild, where they are at risk of being poached and killed. The pride at Whipsnade act as a flagship for ZSL’s Tanzania Carnivore Centre which works to protect all species of carnivore in the region.
The cubs were suckled and reared entirely by their mother in the comfort of their private den and have gradually been integrated into the rest of the pride.
Image: © J. O’Reilly / South Beds News Agency
