Overview
- Three African lion cubs were born to lioness Hira and male Khari on Sunday 26 July at Blackpool Zoo.
- These are the first lion cubs born at the zoo in more than a decade, and Khari — who was the last cub born there in 2015 — has become a father for the first time.
- Hira gave birth outdoors in the Big Cat Habitat which led the zoo to partially close some viewing areas to give her privacy and let keepers review access daily.
- The births follow a £1.5 million upgrade to the zoo's Big Cat Habitat that opened in 2023 and a 2022 temporary transfer of Khari to ZSL Whipsnade to support formation of a new pride.
- The zoo says the cubs aid conservation of a species classed as vulnerable and will reveal the cubs' genders and names in the coming weeks as they grow.