Rare Barbary lion cubs make their debut at Czech Zoo

SUMMARY

Roaring, pouncing and chasing each other, two Barbarylion cubs have made their public debut at a Czech Zoo, adding to a lion subspecies that has long been extinct in the wild and can only be found in captivity. The male and female cubs were born on May 10 at Dvur Kralove Safari Park and Zoo in the Czech Republic. Yet to be named, they join the park's existing Barbary lion pride that includes mum Khalila, dad Bart and his brother Napoleon. With long-haired manes, Barbary lions once inhabited the Atlas Mountains in northern Africa but have been considered extinct in the wild for decades. The last known Barbary Lion was shot in 1942 in Morocco, according to Belfast Zoo, which has its own pride of the animals, and says there are less than 90 Barbary lions living in zoos around the world.

By ReutersJul 10, 2019 10:40:12 AM IST (Updated)

Newly born Barbary lion cubs sit near their mother Khalila inside their enclosure at Dvur Kralove Zoo in Dvur Kralove nad Labem, Czech Republic. Two Barbary lion cubs have made their public debut at a Czech Zoo, adding to a lion subspecies that has long been extinct in the wild and can only be found in captivity. REUTERS/David W Cerny

The male and female cubs were born on May 10 at Dvur Kralove Safari Park and Zoo in the Czech Republic. Yet to be named, they join the park's existing Barbary lion pride that includes mum Khalila, dad Bart and his brother Napoleon. REUTERS/David W Cerny

With long-haired manes, Barbary lions once inhabited the Atlas Mountains in northern Africa but have been considered extinct in the wild for decades. REUTERS/David W Cerny

The last known Barbary Lion was shot in 1942 in Morocco, according to Belfast Zoo, which has its own pride of the animals, and says there are less than 90 Barbary lions living in zoos around the world. REUTERS/David W Cerny

A newly born Barbary lion cub walks past its mother Khalila inside their enclosure at Dvur Kralove Zoo. REUTERS/David W Cerny

On Monday, the two cubs honed their big cat skills whilst exploring their outdoor enclosure under Khalifa's watchful gaze. REUTERS/David W Cerny

A newly born Barbary lion cub jumps inside its enclosure at Dvur Kralove Zoo. REUTERS/David W Cerny