Christmas Comes Early
December 16th 2016
Only six months after the arrival of male Asiatic Lion, Kamal, from Assiniboine Park Zoo in Winnipeg, Canada. Chessington is proud to announce that Christmas has come early this year with not one but three precious arrivals! Three fluffy female cubs were born to lioness Rani at Chessington Zoo this Autumn.
Rani and proud Dad, Kamal, is doing well with a roaring start into first-time Parenthood. Keepers at the Resort are ecstatic that the pair have become parents so quickly. With Kamal coming to the Resort as part of a breeding program. The early Christmas present signifies the Resort’s success at increasing the number of the endangered Asiatic Lion species.
This is both Rani and Kamal’s first time as parents, which can be a precarious time. But both lions have exceeded expectations, proving themselves to have a natural parental instinct. Keepers have already spotted a cheeky trouble maker among the trio who can often be seen pulling on Mum or Dad’s tails.
As Asiatic lions, the new family are part of an endangered lion breed. The breed has taken nearly 100 years to climb back from the brink of extinction. Kamal was chosen to come to Chessington Zoo from Canada as he was the perfect genetic match for Rani!
“We’re extremely excited to welcome our new lion cubs to the Zoo and the positive impact this has for the species breeding program! We can’t wait for guests to see our little Asiatic lion cubs – they are sure to be a rare sight here in London.”
Michael Zurnamer – Carnivore Keeper
The new lion family reside in the Resort’s mythical Trail of the Kings which is open during Chessington’s Winter’s Tail event where guests can get a glimpse of them as they play and explore alongside Mum and Dad.
