Overview

• Two Asiatic lion cubs born early last week were euthanized on July 14 after mother Gina persistently rejected and failed to nurture them.
• Staff ruled out hand-rearing to prevent human imprinting and followed recommendations from biologists, veterinarians and the Asiatic Lion Studbook keeper.
• Animal rights group PETA condemned the action as cruel routine and called for an end to zoo lion breeding, while the zoo cites legal welfare grounds for its decision.
• The zoo emphasizes that maternal selection is evolutionarily normal in wild lions and that German animal welfare law permits euthanasia when suffering is imminent.
• This autumn, the zoo plans to relocate two older cubs to other facilities and offer Gina another breeding opportunity after a period of social weaning.