Mother's pride: First lion cubs born at London Zoo in 10 years make their debut



Two rare lion cubs who were born at London Zoo took their first steps in their new enclosure today, as their mother looked on with pride.

The 10-week-old un-named cats are the son and daughter of Lucifer, six, and Abi, 10, who was the last Asian lion to be born at the zoo.



Malcolm Fitzpatrick, curator of mammals at ZSL London Zoo, said the little lions have already started to form their own personalities.

On feline form: The tiny lion cubs make their debut at London Zoo today with mother Abi

He said: 'Left to their own devices these two youngsters would be running all over the place. The young male is especially adventurous.'



Like many siblings the mischievous pair squabble, and their keepers have spotted them playing tug-of-war with their food.

As they roamed around their new moated paddock, their mother was ever-watchful.



'Their mother Abi is very protective,' said Mr Fitzpatrick. 'Like any new mother, she is very careful.'



Keepers came up with their father's unusual name when he arrived at the zoo in 2004. His registration number at his previous zoo was 666, the Devil's number.

Double trouble: The 10-week-old cubs have already started to develop their own personalities

Lucifer has not been introduced properly to his cubs yet, having only met them through a mesh.



The curator said: 'He wants to be in there with his offspring, but we wanted to make sure the youngsters were vaccinated and had a chance to explore the enclosure before we introduced him.'



Fewer than 300 Asian lions remain in the wild, and just 90 live in captivity around the world.

Paws for thought: Abi cleans one of the tiny cubs as it takes its first steps into the public eye...

...then warns the other cub from straying too far with a nudge of her nose

They are classified as critically endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature and captive breeding is key to their survival. London Zoo is part of the European Breeding Programme for lions.



Asian lions once ranged from Greece, across the Middle East to India, but persecution has virtually wiped the breed out and they now can only be found in the Gir Forest, north west India.

Purrfect pose: One of the unnamed cubs takes a walk on the wild side in the Lion enclosure at London Zoo

Curious and curiouser: The male and female Asian lions explore their new home

They have smaller manes than African lions, making their ears more visible, and they have a pronounced fold of skin along the belly and thicker hair on the tail and elbows.



Unlike African lions, male and female Asian lions seldom associate except to mate.



Their typical prey is chital deer, but they also attack livestock which brings them into conflict with local people.

London pride: 10-year-old lioness Abi was the last lion to be born at the zoo before her cubs