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Four Barbary Lion Cubs Born at Czech Park as Reintroduction Talks Begin

An international breeding initiative will distribute the cubs to partner zoos ahead of a planned Morocco conference on reintroduction feasibility

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)
Male Barbary lion Bart and female Khalila rest in their enclosure, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
Three of four Barbary lion cubs, that were born recently at the Safari Park Dvur Kralove, play with each other at their enclosure, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
One of four Barbary lion cubs, that were born recently at the Safari Park Dvur Kralove, runs in its enclosure, Czech Republic, Wednesday, Aug. 6, 2025. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

Overview

  • Four cubs—a male and three females—were born at Dvůr Králové Safari Park on Aug. 6 and have begun exploring their outdoor enclosure with parents Khalila and Bart.
  • The International Endangered Species Program will send the cubs to participating institutions including Beersheba Zoo in Israel to enhance genetic diversity.
  • It is estimated that fewer than 200 Barbary lions remain in captivity after the subspecies was declared extinct in the wild in the mid-1960s.
  • Zoo officials have held preliminary discussions with Moroccan authorities who have not rejected restoring the lions to the Atlas Mountains.
  • An expert conference is slated for late 2025 or early 2026 in Morocco to evaluate whether habitat conditions, prey availability and community support can sustain a reintroduced population.