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There are five Asiatic lions here at Edinburgh Zoo -Jayendra, Roberta, Mitaali, Keshari and Kushanu.
Jayendra, or Jay our male, was born in 2010 and moved here in 2012 from Bristol Zoo, Roberta, our female, was born in 2013 and arrived in 2014 from a zoo in Germany.
In August 2019, Roberta gave birth to Mitaali, Keshari and Kushanu. The cubs were named in tribute to the Gir forest in western India where the species is found.
You can help feed and care for our lions and other threatened animals around the world by donating today - if you can, please support our Survival Fund.
There were once large populations of Asiatic lions across southwest Asia but today only an estimated 600-650 remain in the wild. Since they now exist as an isolated population in India’s Gir Forest the species is vulnerable to many threats from unpredictable events such as forest fires or epidemics, as well as poaching, habitat destruction, conflict with humans and declining numbers of prey animals.
Our lions are part of the European Endangered Species Programme (EEP). Roberta was matched with resident male Jay through the EEP due to her genetic characteristics. It is very important to conserve the genetics of the species, increasing the possibility of future generations being reintroduced into the wild.
We work with the EEP and other conservation breeding programmes to improve the molecular genetic management of captive populations to support breeding reintroduction efforts for threatened species.
Find out more about our work in applied conservation genetics.
Become an RZSS member and receive a whole host of benefits while helping to care for animals around the world.
Every month, we need thousands of pounds just to feed and care for the animals you love. If you can, please help your zoo survive long into the future by giving a donation today.