Wildlife park welcomes three male Asiatic lions

A wildlife park in Kent has welcomed three Asiatic lions, saying it is now the only place in the county to have these endangered animals.

Wingham Wildlife Park in Canterbury said it was "delighted" to have Theo, Rakesh and Thor joining their sanctuary.

The lions, which are all two-years-old born from the same litter, arrived from Fota Wildlife Park in Ireland at the beginning of May.

Tony Binskin, managing director, said this was a "significant moment" for the wildlife park as well as conservation.

Binksin said the lions would be part of a breeding programme, managed by the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria, for endangered animals.

According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), there are between 500 to 600 Asiatic lions remaining in the wild.

"Being part of the programme allows us to play a real and meaningful role in protecting the future of this incredible species," Binskin said.

"We hope to help secure their future and the survival of the species."

Binskin added they were "incredibly proud" to have the lions as new residents of the wildlife park where visitors could visit the "magnificent animals".

He said the lions would be housed in a brand-new enclosure, designed to provide the "highest standards of welfare" while allowing natural behaviours to thrive.

Binksin added the lions would not be visible to the public while they acclimatise to their new environment.

He said the wildlife park aimed to open both the lion and new tiger habitats to visitors later this year.

According to London Zoo, Asiatic lion populations once ranged in areas including Turkey, across Asia to eastern India but were hunted to near extinction.

The zoo said the current wild population only live in Gir Forest, India.