AssetID: 56097612
Headline: Rare lion cubs born at Edinburgh Zoo for first time in seven years
Caption: Edinburgh Zoo is celebrating a roaring success after welcoming its first lion cubs in seven years. Two Asiatic lion cubs were born to first-time mum Bindee on October 11, with delighted keepers watching the arrivals on live cameras inside her cubbing den. Staff at the Royal Zoological Society of Scotland (RZSS), which runs the zoo, said the new mum is doing an "excellent job" caring for her babies. Bindee and the cubs are currently being kept away from visitors to give the family time to settle and bond. Dad Jay, meanwhile, is said to be taking the new arrivals in his stride. RZSS animal team leader Alison MacLean said: "We are so proud of Bindee and Jay and absolutely thrilled with the beautiful new arrivals. "Mum is happily bonding with the little cubs while Jay is his usual chilled-out self." Keepers first began to suspect Bindee was expecting after noticing her stomach becoming larger and seeing her start to take things a little easier. Their suspicions grew when she began pacing and making last-minute adjustments to her den ahead of the birth. Alison added: "We suspected Bindee was pregnant for a little while, especially after she had been getting on so well with Jay this summer. "There was a mix of nerves and excitement as we waited to see if our suspicions were right. "To finally have the cubs arrive and see everything going so well is brilliant." The youngsters are expected to spend the next few months being cared for inside the den before eventually venturing out to explore their habitat. As is natural for lions, Bindee will carry out most of the parenting during the cubs' early months. The birth is particularly significant because Asiatic lions are endangered in the wild and survive naturally only in and around India's Gir Forest. The zoo's lion habitat is currently closed to visitors while keepers give Bindee and her cubs privacy. RZSS said further updates, including details of when visitors may be able to see the youngsters, will be announced as the family develops.
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