Advertisement

Readers like you keep news free for everyone.

More than 5,000 readers have already pitched in to keep free access to The Journal.

For the price of one cup of coffee each week you can help keep paywalls away.

Support us today
Not now
Thursday 28 September 2023 Dublin: 13°C
# Pride of Dublin
Dublin Zoo has a new attraction - and we're not lion*
*Lion. Lyin’. Lying. Get it? Get it?

DublinZooLionCub01 Patrick Bolger Patrick Bolger

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.

DublinZooLionCub09 Patrick Bolger Patrick Bolger

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.

DublinZooLionCub11 Patrick Bolger Patrick Bolger

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.

DublinZooLionCub07 Patrick BolgeR Patrick BolgeR

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.

Read: Dublin Zoo celebrates arrival of (very cute) baby Goeldi’s monkey

Read: It’s Friday so here are some adorable meerkat pups at Dublin Zoo

Your Voice
Readers Comments
20
    Submit a report
    Please help us understand how this comment violates our community guidelines.
    Thank you for the feedback
    Your feedback has been sent to our team for review.