Latest news with #Winta
BBC News
20-03-2025
- General
- BBC News
Whipsnade Zoo 'overjoyed' as lion cubs increase pride to 10
A zoo has welcomed the arrival of four newborn lion cubs, which has boosted the size of its pride to litter of rare northern African lions was the second batch to be born recently at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire, after three arrived in manager Sarah McGregor said keepers were "overjoyed to have a second litter" and described the cubs as "precious additions to the breeding programme".The zoo said African lion populations were declining in the wild as a result of farming, housing, hunting and resource extraction. When the new cubs are 10 weeks old their sexes will be confirmed at health checks and their names will be lion enclosure at the Bedfordshire zoo stood empty for a while after keepers had to put its two remaining lions to sleep in 2022 due to "age-related conditions".In summer 2023 lionesses Waka and Winta arrived along with male lion Malik, who are now all three years 25 November Winta gave birth to three cubs; two male and one female. Waka's litter of four arrived on 23 January, with keepers watching the birth remotely via a hidden "cubcam". Ms McGregor said: "Lions are highly sociable animals and enjoy living in large groups. "The youngsters will grow up side-by-side with their half-siblings, and I'm sure they'll love having an abundance of playmates."She said Waka and Winta would share parental duties, as lions in the wild would."While Waka and her cubs may be keeping warm and cosy indoors for a little bit longer, visitors will be able to catch a glimpse of their trio of half-siblings racing around the paddock this Easter," she added. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
BBC News
04-03-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Whipsnade lion triplets are two males and a female, zoo reveals
The first health check of three lion cubs has revealed that two of them are males and the third is a at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire said 11-week-old cubs were doing well but one of the males had a heart murmur and the other was not walking as Northern African triplets were born to lioness Winta and Malik - both three-year-olds - at the attraction on 25 veterinary officer Dr Taina Strike said the cubs' mother, Winta, was doing well and one of the triplets would be "under close veterinary observation for the next few weeks". Winta was one of two lionesses moved to Whipsnade from Antwerp Zoo in May zoo said scientific studies in 2017 showed that of the two distinct subspecies of African lion - Northern and Southern - Northern lions faced greater threats in the wild and were therefore "in most need of vital conservation attention". Dr Strike added: "Not only does the health check allow us to assess their progress and boost the immune systems of the young cubs, but every opportunity to examine an animal boosts our veterinary knowledge and expertise, which we can directly apply to animals we and our colleagues around the world are protecting in the wild."Predators team leader Steve Merrick-White said the siblings were "already developing strong personalities – the female is really feisty and bold, whilst one of the males is a little quieter but can fix you with a good glare"."These three cubs are important for the conservation breeding programme for their sadly threatened subspecies," he cubs' vital statistics will be added to Species360, a zoological record-keeping software system used to manage the welfare, health, and population data of animals under human care. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Lion cubs take their first steps outside at zoo
Three northern African lion cubs have been pictured taking their first exploratory steps outside at a zoo. Their movements have been monitored on a hidden cubcam at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire. The youngsters, born on 25 November 2024, have up until now been spending their time in their indoor den with mother Winta. The zoo said the nine-week-old cubs would be sexed at their first health check next week. The zoo said the trio were vitally important for protecting the lineage of their "sadly threatened" sub-species which was only officially recognised in 2017. Three quarters of African lion populations are declining, which the World Wildlife Fund blames on habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and poaching. There are between 23,000 and 39,000 lions left in the wild, according to estimates from the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Whipsnade Zoo said every visit supported the global conservation work of Zoological Society of London. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Three rare cubs born at Whipsnade Zoo Meet London Zoo's new lion cubs! New pride of lions due to arrive at zoo Whipsnade Zoo
Yahoo
06-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Lion cubs take their first steps outside at zoo
Three northern African lion cubs have been pictured taking their first exploratory steps outside at a zoo. Their movements have been monitored on a hidden cubcam at Whipsnade Zoo in Bedfordshire. The youngsters, born on 25 November 2024, have up until now been spending their time in their indoor den with mother Winta. The zoo said the nine-week-old cubs would be sexed at their first health check next week. The zoo said the trio were vitally important for protecting the lineage of their "sadly threatened" sub-species which was only officially recognised in 2017. Three quarters of African lion populations are declining, which the World Wildlife Fund blames on habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and poaching. There are between 23,000 and 39,000 lions left in the wild, according to estimates from the International Union for Conservation of Nature. Whipsnade Zoo said every visit supported the global conservation work of Zoological Society of London. Follow Beds, Herts and Bucks news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Three rare cubs born at Whipsnade Zoo Meet London Zoo's new lion cubs! New pride of lions due to arrive at zoo Whipsnade Zoo
