Lion cubs now being hand-reared at Bristol Zoo

Bristol Zoo has today announced that on 9 November, 2012, they welcomed two very special new additions. Shiva, a Asiatic lioness, gave birth to two male lion cubs called Kamran and Ketan.

Unfortunately 12 days later on the 21 November Kamal, a 18-year-old lion and the father of the cubs, was put to sleep due to his severe deteriorating health in old age. Following the death of Kamal, Shiva began mis-mothering her babies, forcing animal and veterinary staff to make the difficult and rare decision to intervene and remove the two week old cubs for hand-rearing.

As the cubs are still very young, they are off show to zoo guests, but visitors will be able to see them via a video link from this Friday, shown on a screen at the front of the lion enclosure.

For more info visit: http://www.bristolzoo.org.uk/young-asiatic-lion-cubs-currently-being-hand-reared-at-bristol-zoo