Two cubs were born on August 22 at the Amnéville Zoo (northeast France), a "surprising" birth according to the zoo due to the age of their parents, who are both African lions. The male is 17 years old, while the female is 12 years old. The zoo stated in a press release that the birth occurred in front of visitors, noting that they had excluded the possibility of any new births for this pair "given the advanced age of the male." African lions typically live up to 12 years "in the wild."
The zoo expressed its relief at this "good news for the conservation of African lions," a species threatened with extinction, with only about 35,000 individuals remaining in Africa, according to the statement. They confirmed that the two cubs, one male and one female, are "in good health" and have been placed "out of sight" with their mother while they await weaning and vaccination. Additionally, it was announced that the public will soon be able to choose their names via social media.
