Birth of new lion cub brings hope

The lion will take part in a breeding programme for endangered species

The birth of a lion cub brings new hope for an endangered species breeding programme at Chester Zoo.

Tejas is a male Asiatic Lion who was born a few days ago, but staff already have high hopes for him.

There are only 300 to 350 Asiatic Lions left in the wild and they can only be found in India's Gir Forest.

The zoo's carnivore team hopes that Tejas, whose name is Indian for sharpness, will be able to play a key role in a breeding programme.

'Important role'

He was one of two cubs born, but his brother was not strong enough to survive.

Mike Jordan, the zoo's Curator of Higher Vertebrates, said: "Asiatic Lions face some real threats in the wild and the fact that 17 lions alone have died in the last few months - eight of those from poaching - shows just how critical the situation is for the Asiatic Lion.

"That's why this young cub's birth is so important. The fact that Tejas is a male means he has the potential to play a really important role in the breeding programme for his species.

"It goes without saying that we were sad to lose the other cub however the surviving cub is going from strength to strength."