Latest news with #SafariPark
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Zoo Welcomes 4 Rare Lion Cubs From a Subspecies Extinct in the Wild, Sparking Reintroduction Hopes
The Barbary lion cubs were born at the Dvůr Králové Safari Park in the Czech Republic in JanuaryNEED TO KNOW Four adorable, rare Barbary lion cubs made their public debut earlier this year at a zoo in the Czech Republic, and there are fresh photos of the quartet The births are part of Dvůr Králové Safari Park's plans to eventually reintroduce the subspecies of lion, which is extinct in the wild, to its native habitat Barbary lions went extinct in the wild in the middle of the 1960s, per the Associated PressA zoo in the Czech Republic is hoping to reintroduce a rare subspecies of lion to its native habitat decades after it went extinct in the wild. On Wednesday, Aug. 6, the zoo shared new photos of its four adorable Barbary lion cubs who were born at the Dvůr Králové Safari Park in January and made their public debut in April, according to a Facebook post from the zoo. In the new images of the cubs, three females and one male, the baby big cats have fun while their parents, Khalila and Bart, watch on. Experts at the zoo hope the cubs won't spend their entire lives in the park, per the Associated Press. The cubs will be sent to other zoos and animal parks once they're older as part of an "international endangered species program that coordinates efforts for their survival in captivity," the news agency stated. One of the goals of this program is to reintroduce Barbary lions to their natural habitat eventually. Despite the mission to reintroduce the subspecies to the wild being underway, Dvůr Králové Deputy Director Jaroslav Hyjánek insisted the goal likely won't happen until the "far distant future," per the AP. There have been talks about whether it would be possible to reintroduce the lions —a subspecies thought to have gone extinct in the wild in the mid-1960s — in an area such as Morocco's Atlas Mountains. Hyjánek told the AP that Moroccan authorities hadn't rejected the idea, but the park acknowledged that it was an "ambitious project" in a Facebook post on Wednesday. A conference of experts is expected to discuss the plans later this year or in early 2026, the AP noted, adding that a reintroduction "would face numerous bureaucratic and other obstacles" because the lion has not been in the wild for so long. Barbary lions' natural habitat used to be in northern Africa, including the Atlas Mountains, but the last known photo of wild lions in the area was taken in 1925, the AP stated. The last documented wild Barbary lion kill was in 1942. It's thought that small populations of the lions survived in the wild until approximately 20 years later. Less than 200 are now estimated to live in captivity, per the news agency. Human activities played a huge part in the lion subspecies' decline, the AP reported, adding that many of the lions were killed by gladiators in Roman times. Overhunting and a loss of habitat also contributed to their extinction. Hyjánek said he is hopeful for the Barbary lion's future, "It's important to have such a vision for any animal," per the news agency, adding, "Without it, the existence of zoos wouldn't make sense." This isn't the first time Barbary cubs have been introduced to the pack at Dvůr Králové Safari Park, with two being born in May 2019, three in July 2020, and two in July 2021; all to mom Khalila. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. The zoo previously confirmed Khalila was one of two Barbary lionesses to have arrived at the park back in 2018. The facility wrote at the time, "Barbary lions are an extinct subspecies in the wild. They used to inhabit areas of North Africa. Nowadays, people can only find them in zoos. In the future, Safari Park Dvůr Králové would like to breed these rare beasts." Read the original article on People
Washington Post
6 days ago
- General
- Washington Post
Czech zoo welcomes 4 rare Barbary lion cubs whose population is extinct in the wild
DVUR KRALOVE, Czech Republic — Four Barbary lion cubs were born recently in a Czech zoo, a vital contribution for a small surviving population of the rare lion that is extinct in the wild. The three females and one male were seen playing in their outdoor enclosure at Dvůr Králové Safari Park on Wednesday, enjoying themselves under the watchful eyes of their parents, Khalila and Bart.
CTV News
6 days ago
- Science
- CTV News
Czech zoo welcomes 4 rare Barbary lion cubs whose population is extinct in the wild
One of four Barbary lion cubs, that were born recently at the Safari Park Dvur Kralove, rests with its parents Khalila, left, and Bart at their enclosure, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek) DVUR KRALOVE, Czech Republic — Four Barbary lion cubs were born recently in a Czech zoo, a vital contribution for a small surviving population of the rare lion that is extinct in the wild. The three females and one male were seen playing in their outdoor enclosure at Dvůr Králové Safari Park on Wednesday, enjoying themselves under the watchful eyes of their parents, Khalila and Bart. That will change soon. As part of an international endangered species program that coordinates efforts for their survival in captivity, the cubs will be sent to other participating parks, including the Beersheba zoo in Israel. Chances are that might not be the end of the story for the animal. Dvůr Králové Deputy Director Jaroslav Hyjánek said that while preliminary steps have been taken for a possible reintroduction of the Barbary lion into its natural habitat, it's still a 'far distant future.' The majestic member of the Northern lion subspecies, the Barbary lion once roamed freely its native northern Africa, including the Atlas Mountains. A symbol of strength, they were almost completely wiped out due to human activities. Many were killed by gladiators in Roman times, while overhunting and a loss of habitat contributed to their extinction later. The last known photo of a wild lion was taken in 1925, while the last individual was killed in 1942. It's believed the last small populations went extinct in the wild in the middle of the 1960s. Fewer than 200 Barbary lions are currently estimated to live in captivity Hyjánek said that after initial talks with Moroccan authorities, who have not rejected the idea of their reintroduction, a conference of experts has been planned to take place in Morocco late this year or early 2026 to decide whether it would make sense to go ahead with such a plan in one of the national parks in the Atlas Mountains. Any reintroduction would face numerous bureaucratic and other obstacles. Since the lion has not been present in the environment for such a long time, the plans would have to ensure their protection, a sufficient prey population and cooperation and approval from local communities. Hyjánek said such a move is still worth trying if it turns out to be sustainable. 'It's important to have such a vision for any animal, ' he said. 'Without it, the existence of zoos wouldn't make sense.' Karel Janicek, The Associated Press
BBC News
6 days ago
- General
- BBC News
'Queen' of Longleat Safari Park's pride of lions dies at 19
A 19-year-old lion has died at Longleat Safari Park weeks away from her 20th announced Malaika died in her sleep after experiencing "age-related difficulties" at the end of an African lion, was born at the estate and was "much-loved by guests and keepers" and the "Queen of Harry's pride", Longleat's head of animal operations Darren Beasley said there were two prides, one with Harry, which Malaika was in, and the other led by Klaus and Simba. Lions were the first animal to feature in Longleat's drive-through safari when it became the first to open outside Africa in Beasley added: "While it is always sad when we lose an animal, the length of her life is testament to the care she has received over her years at Longleat as the average lifespan is around 14 years."
South China Morning Post
08-06-2025
- Health
- South China Morning Post
Write a funny caption for this naughty elephant
A team of doctors and vets in Pakistan have developed a novel treatment for a pair of elephants suffering from tuberculosis that involves feeding them at least 400 pills a day. The jumbo effort by staff at the Karachi Safari Park involves administering the tablets hidden inside food ranging from apples and bananas, to Pakistani sweets The amount of medication is adjusted to account for the weight of the 4,000kg elephant. Agence France-Presse Can you think of innovative ways to feed the medicine to the elephant? Send us a funny caption by filling out this form. The deadline is at 12pm on June 11. We'll publish the best ones next week. Last week's top caption Participants wearing costumes take part in an attempt to break the world record for the largest gathering of Smurfs. Photo: AFP Emma So (aged 8), Man Kiu Association Primary School: Where's Papa Smurf?
