Lion cub in Zoo Schwerin

25.9.2024 – Source: Zoo Schwerin, Photos by Gerti Bichel

On 31st of July 2024, our lioness ‘Indi’ gave birth to a healthy male cub! The little lion cub is developing splendidly. 🦁 A name was also sought for our current lion cub via NDR. The result of the vote: The baby boy is called ‘Santosh’! 🦁

Schwerin Zoo is currently home to 8 Asiatic lions. This subspecies is highly endangered – there are only around 400 lions left in the wild, living in a single reserve in India. There are only around 180 of these majestic animals in zoos worldwide.

Thanks to the successful breeding programme, there is also good news for our young lions ‘Ravi’ and ‘Kirana’. Both are currently being recommended to which zoo they will live in the future.

Our youngest offspring is now exploring the ‘winter garden’ in the Rote Liste Centre and can therefore also be seen there by you.

The little cat is well up, very curious and already quite cheeky.

Lioness Indi is doing an excellent job as a mum and looks after her protégé every second. It is therefore quite possible that she will retreat to the rear area with the little ‘tomcat’ when she feels like more peace and quiet. We ask for your understanding.

The cubbie eagerly explores the area and also likes to look at the two-legged animals in front of the window, which Indi tolerates.

However, if he comes too close to the windscreen, she gently carries him away from there with a tentative grip on his neck. So don’t worry, it’s not dangerous for the little one.

At the moment, ‘Santosh’ can still be seen with his mother ‘Indi’ in the conservatory of the Red List Centre, but he will soon be old enough to meet the rest of his family.

With 8 members now, the Asiatic lion pride in Schwerin is one of the largest in the world and we are delighted to be able to keep such a harmonious and active group here. The Asiatic lion is considered highly endangered and is coordinated throughout Europe as part of a conservation breeding programme. There are currently around 130 animals in the programme, with only around 350 adult lions left in the wild in India’s Gir-Forest National Park.