Trio of endangered Asiatic lion cubs born at Cork's Fota Wildlife Park

Fota Wildlife Park has announced the birth of three male endangered Asiatic lion cubs.

The cubs were born last month to mother Arya, who recently returned from Helsinki Zoo, and was part of the first lion cub litter to be born at the Park in 2018.

Six-year-old Arya was paired with eight-year-old Yali, who is the most genetically significant Asiatic lion in the European Breeding Programme.

The Asiatic lion is classified as endangered by the International Union of Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and inhabits only one remaining site in the world, the Gir Forest in India.

The current population in the Gir Forest is estimated to be in the region of 500 to 600 lions.

Overjoyed

“We are overjoyed with the birth of Arya’s cubs,” said lead ranger at Fota Wildlife Park Julien Fonteneau.

“Arya and Yali’s cubs are not just vital to our breeding programme but also to the global efforts in preserving the Asiatic lion population.

“In a first for Fota Wildlife Park, Yali was present at the birth of his three cubs, normally the male lions would not attend the birth of their young.

“One of our team members here quipped that Yali is a very modern father,” he added.

“Although inexperienced, Arya is excelling as a new mother and is very protective. We have been monitoring the cubs daily and they all appear to be well fed and active. She has been caring for the cubs outdoors under the foliage and out of sight.

“Whenever it rains, she carries them to the heated lion shelter, which our visitors know well,” he said. 

“While they are still very young and sleeping a lot, it is possible to catch a glimpse of them at the lion shelter.”

Milestone

The arrival of this litter marks the first lion birth at Fota Wildlife Park since 2019, a significant milestone in the park’s ongoing conservation efforts of this endangered species.

The park is now calling on the public to help name the three male cubs, who are among seven Asiatic lions at Fota.

For an opportunity to win one of three annual Conservation passes, enter via the blog at https://www.fotawildlife.ie/news.