The Rabat National Zoological Park announced today, Thursday, that a cub of the Atlas lion species, born in August within the park, will be presented to visitors starting next Sunday in the « Savannah » area.
The zoo’s statement noted that « during the summer of 2024, the Rabat National Zoological Park witnessed the birth of an Atlas lion cub, currently under the supervision of the park’s technical teams, as part of veterinary monitoring measures and special care provided to this species, which has been extinct in the wild since the early 20th century. »
It highlighted that this birth, the first of its kind since the establishment of a new group of Atlas lions in 2022, is the result of a conservation program for this endemic and symbolic species of Moroccan wildlife heritage. The statement added that « the Atlas lion cub, born in August and now four months old, is gradually adapting to other members of its group and will be viewable alongside its mother starting from October 20, 2024, in the Savannah area. »
Morocco, known for its unique biodiversity and rich fauna and flora, is currently the only country preserving the Atlas lions, hosting the world’s largest group of this species, with numbers ranging between 30 and 40 individuals depending on the year.
Through its Atlas lion conservation program, the Rabat National Zoological Park aims to preserve the core population of this species by promoting regular and controlled breeding, as well as balanced management that ensures proper care conditions, with the goal of maintaining the genetic diversity necessary for the long-term survival of this species.
Awareness workshops on the need to protect endangered species and fragile ecosystems will be organized during the upcoming school holidays, to remind people of the history of the Atlas lions and the importance of this heritage for current and future generations.
