Three African Lion cubs (Panthera leo bleyenberghi) were born at Lisbon Zoo, increasing to 10 the number of pride members. The offspring, two males and one female, will be breastfed until they turn 2 years old. During this time they will learn how to hunt, camouflage themselves and understand the established hierarchy all through games and observation of the group.
 
Of majestic size, the African lion is the largest carnivore of its continent. The male is larger and heavier than the female and has a big mane, which starts to grow when they are 3 years old. Both genders have a hair tuft on the tip of the tail, which they use for communicating with one another, in addition to body expressions and vocalizations that result in loud roarings.
 
African lion are brave and majestic, a symbol of strength and power which are often represented in coats of arms, flags and sculptures.
 
Classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature), the population is decreasing due to illegal trophy hunting, habitat fragmentation, and persecution by the local populations. This is the reason why reproduction in parks such as the Lisbon Zoo is of high importance.
 
Visit the Zoo and turn conservation into your strongest roar.