Newborn lion cubs are the ‘mane’ attraction at ZSL London Zoo

[WildflowerNJ 136]

I LOVED just getting this email!!! I adopted sweet Lucifer at the London Zoo. Got to see him twice this past April. He and his love Abi are proud parents....I have to go and see these babies!! There is a video on my Adoption page but I cannot post it...

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."

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

[WildflowerNJ 136]

Here is a pic of Abi and her babies :heart:

[WildflowerNJ 136]

Okay, found this on youtube.....

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I love seeing them so happy and with love around them....I know in a perfect uncomplicated world they would be free, in their native land....but this warms my heart to see this bond and know they are safe....:heart:

[Magnolia 171]

Oh, they're sooo cute!!!

[KansasPettyFan 1]

Darling!

[PumpkinBumpkin 1]

I love lions! How cute.

[LizzieB 0]

Beautiful! Truly beautiful. I'll try to see them when I'm back in October.

Thanks for sharing, Beth.

[WildflowerNJ 136]

Liz, try and take some pics for me if you go....thank you....

[agirl 0]

What cuties!!

[Pawie 6]

:heart: Adorable little 'devils'. Born in captivity means the parens have a good life. :heart:

[emmie 2]

They are beautiful.