Fota Wildlife Park announced to the public the birth of four Asian lion cubs (Panthera leo persica) who were born on the 20th February to second-time parents, mother Gira and father Shanto. Pic Darragh Kane

Endangered lions born in Fota Wildlife Park

Fota Wildlife Park has announced the birth of four endangered lion cubs.

The four lion cubs are yet to be named and are currently unsexed but Fota is looking for the public to help name the newest additions to mother Gira and father Shanto's family. The winning names will each be rewarded with a year-long conservation pass.

Fota Announces the birth of endangered Asian lion cubs. Pic Darragh Kane

Born on February 20th, the four cubs see the family grow, with the first litter born a year and a half ago, along with aunt Gita.

While it's a happy time for the endangered Asian lions, there were initially five cubs but one was stillborn.

Speaking about the latest additions to Gira and Shanto's family, Lead Ranger Kelly Lambe said: "We are thrilled with the arrival of this litter of four Asian lion cubs at Fota Wildlife Park. This species is endangered and now inhabits only one remaining site in the world – the Gir Forest, in India, which means that wildlife parks and zoos play a crucial role in safeguarding the species and maintaining the genetic diversity outside of the pocket of the wild population."

Fota Wildlife Park announced to the public the birth of four Asian lion cubs, who were born on the 20th February to second-time parents, mother Gira and father Shanto. Pic Darragh Kane

Lambe continued: "Unfortunately, one of the cubs was stillborn, however, five in a litter in extremely rare and we are delighted that there are four cubs thriving and they are all feeding and bonding well with Mum Gira. It’s Gira’s second litter with our male lion, Shanto, and she is a protective mum. We vaccinated and weighted them all yesterday and they all weight exactly the same – 7.15kg.”

Sisters Gira and Gita were brought to Fota's Asian Sanctuary in 2016 and the pride expanded in 2017 when Gira and Shanto became first-time parents when Amira, Arya and Loki were born in 2017.

Fota is asking the public to name the four new lion cubs. Pic Darragh Kane

The latest addition to the Asian lion pride is welcomed with only 500 left in the wild.

You can enter a name suggestion for the new cubs and be in with a chance of winning a year-long conservation pass by clicking here.