The Rabat National Zoo announced on Thursday that a baby Atlas lion cub, born in August and now four months old, will be introduced to the public this Sunday, in the zoo’s “Savannah” exhibit along with his mother.
The event is significant as the Atlas lion has been extinct in the wild since the early 1900s. The cub’s birth is part of the Zoo’s efforts to conserve the species, which is native to Morocco and plays a role in the country’s wildlife heritage.
The zoo is currently home to the world’s largest collection of Atlas lions, with 30 to 40 individuals. The Rabat Zoo’s conservation program prioritizes breeding and caring for the lions to maintain their genetic diversity and ensure the species’ survival.
The wildlife park will also hold educational workshops during the upcoming school holidays, designed to teach visitors about the importance of protecting endangered species like the Atlas lion.