Delhi Zoo Welcomes Quadruplet Asiatic Lion Cubs After A Wait Of 16 Years!

Good news, folks! The Delhi Zoo celebrated a rare occasion of welcoming a litter of four Asiatic lion cubs on Sunday. In the first successful breeding case of the species at the zoo since 2009, a five-year-old Asiatic lioness Mahagauri gave birth to quadruplets. The zoo authorities have kept Mahagauri and her four cubs under close observation for now.

Delhi Zoo Welcomes Four Lion Cubs

According to the Hindustan Times, after 16 years, Delhi Zoo celebrated the birth of four lion cubs. The lioness Mahagauri was brought to the Delhi Zoo in 2021 from Gujarat’s Junagadh. The zoo authorities confirmed that the breeding process was carried out between the lioness and a five-year-old lion Maheshwar, also brought in from Junagadh.

Delhi Zoo authorities have shared that Mahagauri has been seen caring for her cubs, which is a hopeful sign for them. They are also keeping the new mom and cubs under round-the-clock CCTV monitoring as the next 24 hours are critical for the lioness since she has delivered for the first time.

The lion cubs will be shifted to a veterinary hospital from the Delhi Zoo soon. This is to ensure their proper growth and check for any other issues. However, this movement will depend on Mahagauri’s behaviour as lionesses can get very aggressive about their cubs.

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Cubs Born At The Zoo After 16 Years

While talking to Hindustan Times, Sanjeet Kumar, Director of the Delhi Zoo, revealed that this is the first lion birth at the zoo in almost 16 years! He shared that the last successful breeding of lions at the zoo took place in May 2009. Back then, the litter was of two cubs.

The zoo officials see the birth of lion cubs as a ray of hope at the Delhi Zoo. This is mainly because of the recent frequent animal deaths witnessed there. Earlier in April, a Thamin deer, a Gaur calf and an Albino blackbuck died at the zoo. Back in March, a female dhole (wild dog) died at the zoo during some treatment. In February, a 15-year-old female leopard named Babli, a 22-year-old jaguar, and a 15-year-old nilgai also passed away.

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Reportedly, the Delhi Zoo is currently the home of almost 95 species of animals and birds.

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva (representative image)