West Midlands Safari Park lion cubs introduced to public

The 12-week-old cubs, named Nero, Nox, and Nancy, were seen exploring their new habitat for the first time on Wednesday, July 9.

The young lions are the latest arrivals in a year filled with new life at the park, including Sumatran tiger cubs and an Indian rhino calf.

One of the lion cubs at West Midlands Safari Park making its first public appearance (Image: Matthew Lissimore) The lion cubs at West Midlands Safari Park making their first public appearance (Image: Matthew Lissimore) Kasha Carter, head keeper of carnivores, said: "Once we opened the door to let Amber [their mother] and the cubs out on safari, Amber came out a couple of times first, to check that everything was fine.

"She then encouraged her cubs to follow her out and all three were fairly confident but kept close to mum.

"They spent a lot of time near the lion house initially but soon started playing with sticks and darting in and out of the bushes.

"We also witnessed them seeing a passing gull and butterfly for the first time, which they were really interested in."

The lion cubs at West Midlands Safari Park making their first public appearance (Image: Matthew Lissimore)

The cubs were born to 12-year-old Amber on April 13 and have just completed their second round of vaccinations.

After adjusting to the outdoors, the cubs were introduced to other pride members, including their half-sister Hernatty and experienced ‘babysitter’ Dakota.

Ms Carter said: "Hernatty has never seen cubs before, so was very cautious at first, but began playing with them and even showed them new areas of the habitat to explore and things to do, such as watching the hoofstock on the other side of the fence line."

Keepers said the birth of the cubs is significant, as lions are classed as 'vulnerable' in the wild by the International Union for the Conservation of Nature.

The next step will be to gradually introduce the cubs to the rest of the pride, starting with the females before meeting their father, Tsavo.