Edinburgh Zoo roars with excitement as it welcomes the birth of two lion cubs after a seven-year wait
The cubs were born to first-time mum Bindee on October 11, with keepers watching the arrival through live cameras in the cubbing den.
Edinburgh Zoo is celebrating the birth of two Asiatic lion cubs for the first time in seven years.
The cubs were born to first-time mum Bindee on October 11, with keepers at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS) watching the arrival through live cameras in the cubbing den.
Bindee is doing well caring for her new-borns and will remain away from visitors with the cubs while the conservation charity monitors the new family as they settle and bond.
RZSS animal team leader Alison MacLean said: "We are so proud of Bindee and Jay and absolutely thrilled with the beautiful new arrivals. Mum is happily bonding with the little cubs while Jay is his usual chilled-out self.”
Keepers first suspected Bindee was pregnant after noticing her stomach had grown and she was moving more slowly. Their suspicions were confirmed when she began pacing and making final adjustments to her den.
Alison said: "We suspected Bindee was pregnant for a little while especially after she has been getting on so well with Jay this summer.
“There was a mix of nerves and excitement as we waited to see if our suspicions were right. To finally have the cubs arrive and see everything going so well is brilliant."
The cubs will spend several months being cared for in the den before venturing out to explore their habitat. As is natural for lions, Bindee will take on most of the responsibility for raising her young during their early months.
The zoo’s lion habitat is currently closed to the public until further notice, with updates on its reopening to be provided when more information becomes available.
Visitors can book zoo tickets online and save at edinburghzoo.org.uk/tickets