Adorable lion cubs born at British zoo for first time in seven years

Staff are celebrating the pitter-patter of tiny paws after two adorable lion cubs were born at a zoo for the first time in seven years.

The fluffy newcomers arrived on 11 October to first-time mum Bindee and dad Jay – with keepers watching the special moment unfold on live cameras inside their den.

And proud mum Bindee is already proving a natural as she bonds with her babies at Edinburgh Zoo.

The Royal Zoological Society of Scotland, RZSS, said the family would remain out of sight of visitors while keepers monitor the youngsters and give them time to settle in, as reported by What’s The Jam.

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 suspected Bindee was expecting after noticing her tummy getting bigger and her movements slowing down.

Their suspicions grew when she began pacing and making final preparations inside her den.

Alison added: “We suspected Bindee was pregnant for a little while especially after she has 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 tiny pair will spend several months tucked away in the den before eventually venturing out to explore their home.

And it will be mum doing most of the hard work as she cares for her young during their early months.

The cubs are Asiatic lions – a smaller and lighter species than their African cousins which originally comes from India.

There are thought to be just 350 Asiatic lions left living in the wild, with the species classed as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The zoo’s lion habitat is currently closed to visitors until further notice, with updates on its reopening to be announced.

The births are the latest addition to Edinburgh Zoo’s baby boom in 2026.

The park has also welcomed pygmy hippo Piper, a Linne’s two-toed sloth called Atty, a capybara and a giant anteater.