Whipsnade Zoo has celebrated the arrival of a second litter of rare northern African lion cubs, bringing the total number of cubs at the conservation zoo to seven.
The four cubs were born as part of the conservation breeding program for their endangered sub-species. They were born to mum Waka and dad Malik in the early hours of Thursday, January 23rd, just two months after lioness Winta gave birth to her own litter of three. The cubs were born between 5:13 am and 6:40 am, with keepers observing the birth remotely via a hidden ‘cubcam’ CCTV. They were thrilled to see Waka following in Winta’s footsteps as a loving mother, carefully grooming and nuzzling her newborns, who quickly learned to feed.
Whipsnade Zoo’s Section Manager, Sarah McGregor, expressed her joy: “We’re overjoyed to welcome this second litter at Whipsnade Zoo. These cubs are not only precious additions to the breeding program but also a significant part of our pride, which now includes ten lions.” She added, “Lions are highly sociable creatures, and they thrive in large groups. These youngsters will grow up alongside their half-siblings, with plenty of playmates. Waka and Winta, both natural mothers, will also share parental responsibilities as lions would in the wild.”
While Waka and her cubs may stay indoors for a little longer to keep warm and cosy, visitors will have the opportunity to see their trio of half-siblings running around the paddock this Easter!
ZSL, the international conservation charity behind Whipsnade Zoo, works in the W-Arli-Pendjari conservation complex, which spans the borders of Burkina Faso, Niger, and Benin. This complex is home to 90% of the remaining lions in West Africa. Through research, monitoring, and support for national wildlife conservation efforts, ZSL is dedicated to helping species like lions thrive.
Unfortunately, due to habitat loss from logging, livestock farming, and urbanization, along with unsustainable hunting and human-wildlife conflict, 75% of wild African lion populations are in decline.