A lion cub from the Atlas, born in August at the National Zoo of Rabat (JZN), will be presented to visitors starting Sunday, within the biozone “Savanna,” the zoo announced last Thursday.
“During this summer of 2024, an Atlas lion cub was born at the National Zoo of Rabat (JZN) and is under the observation of the zoo’s technical teams, as part of the veterinary follow-up measures and special care that this species, extinct in the wild since the beginning of the last century, receives,” the JZN specified in a statement, noting that this birth is the first since the formation of a new group of Atlas lions in 2022, and is the result of the conservation program for this endemic and emblematic species of Moroccan animal heritage.
“Currently four months old, the young Atlas lion born in August is gradually getting accustomed to the other members of the Atlas lion group and will be observable with its mother starting October 20, 2024, within the Savanna biozone,” it was emphasized.
Morocco, renowned for its unique biodiversity and the richness of its fauna and flora, is currently the only country preserving Atlas lions and housing the largest collection in the world of this species, with numbers varying between 30 and 40 individuals depending on the year.
Through its conservation program, the zoo aims to maintain a founding nucleus of this species, promoting regular and controlled reproduction on one hand and balanced management ensuring animal welfare on the other, with the goal of ensuring the genetic diversity essential for the long-term survival of this population.
Awareness workshops on the necessity of protecting endangered species and fragile ecosystems are planned during the upcoming school holidays to remind about the history of the Atlas lions and the importance of this heritage for current and future generations.