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THIS IS DUBLIN Zoo’s latest attraction – an Asian lion cub. And he is amazing.
The as yet unnamed cub was born to mum Zuri and dad Kumar who came to Dublin Zoo from Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands last year.
The birth of the cub is “very significant”, the zoo says, coming as a boost for the international breeding programme for this critically endangered species.
There are less than 350 Asian lions in the wild and their entire wild population can be found in one place – the Gir Forest in India.
According to the animal care team at Dublin Zoo, the lion cub is bonding well with his parents, first time mum Zuri and experienced dad Kumar.
Team leader Ciaran McMahon said ‘We’re thrilled about the arrival of the cub. He has a wonderfully playful and curious personality. It’s lovely to see Zuri taking to her role as a new mum so well and Kumar is as cool and calm as ever. At two months old he now weighs an estimated 6.6kg.
In the past Dublin Zoo was very successful breeding African lions. It is now of great conservation importance that zoos maintain a viable population of critically endangered Asian lions.
Dublin Zoo would like to invite the public to suggest a name for the new arrival based on his Asian origin. Name suggestions can be submitted through the Dublin Zoo Facebook page.
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“first time mum Zuri and experienced dad Kumar.”
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The mane thing is you explained the joke
That fact gives me pride. But I did paws briefly before explaining it.
Dang can’t think of any more. I’ll have to draw the lion here so…
Cub your enthusiasm!
So you’re feline proud Paul.
He is the King of the Journal ,after all !
Cuteness overload
Beautiful creatures . majestic
I’m sick to my teeth of hearing “I don’t agree with zoo’s, no animal should be caged”… In imagination land that’s a brilliant idea, all animals roaming free etc. Reality check, If it wasn’t for these “prisons” a lot of these animals would now be extinct. Case in point, Longleat in England started a conservation in the 1960′s with Africa for the rhino, can’t remember whether its the white or black one. Anyways, since they started the breeding and re-population programme, its now come off the endangered list. All because idiots think no 1 its some kinda of magic Viagra, and 2, a “lovely ornament”… So I’m a firm believer in zoo’s, well until we can sterilize these idiots so they can’t reproduce.
Well said babs
Babs, you’re talking out of your arse!
So cute. While I don’t like the idea of keeping wild animals in zoos, for reasons of safe keeping until we can stop poachers and hunters this is what we can provide. I am not saying all zoos are good. But some do their best.
Beautiful animal, would be even more so in it’s own habitat.
Without reverting to name calling and with all due respet to Dublin Zoo, the bottom line is that Zoos are an entertainment business, their financial product is the animals the house and the revenue those animals produce. Baby animals generate huge footfall resulting in huge revenue for zoos.
Animals retained in zoos are denied everything that makes their lives meaningful. Every part of their lives is controlled and manipulated. They have no choice in what or when they eat, whom they mate with, or whom they live with. They are housed in structures that are not even close to the rainforests, plains, and jungles that are their indigenous habitats.
Instead of providing lifetime care, zoos routinely trade, lend (i.e. chinese pandas are all on loan), sell, barter, and distribute animals they no longer want—despite knowing that many species form lasting bonds that are important to their long-term health and happiness. Removing animals from bonded social groups and forcing them to adjust constantly to new routines, different caretakers, and unfamiliar cagemates is disruptive and traumatic. Most animals go mad in captivity.
Zoos have ingeniously managed to tag the world “conservation” on to their product to gloss over the reality of their existence. Zoos do not save animals from extinction, they only breed them to replenish their stock. Another argument as to why a lot of animals cannot be reintroduced back into their natural habitat is because they no longer have a natural habitat due to world over-population which is increasing. So I agree with you on the sterization suggestion but as well as me, it should really include a few more humans in that.
I don’t mean to be ‘preachy’ but there is another side to zoos and I am entitled to my own opinion.
Please watch “Earthlings”, “Blackfish” and “The Ghosts in Our Machine”. It might be of further help to you.
As a fellow sentient being, the same as the fellow sentient beings held in zoos, ask youself this question, “Would I like to live my whole life like that?”.
On the ball
I don’t agree with Zoos.
Thankfully zoos can’t talk so it’s a one sided argument.
I didn’t know India had lions… I thought they were only found in Africa. Learnt something new today!
Should name the cub Gismo
have your say