Swiss zoo culls endangered lion cubs (did not have space for them)

[The Straight Story]

Swiss zoo culls endangered lion cubs

A Swiss zoo has provoked public dismay by culling two endangered Namibian lion cubs because it did not have space for them.

In June, Basel Zoo proudly announced that a five-year-old lioness, imported from Namibia, had given birth to four cubs; three males and one female. However, last week the zoo decided to put two of the male cubs to sleep and feed their carcasses to other animals. It explained that the lion enclosure was not big enough for them and said it could not find another zoo to adopt them.

Thomas Jermann, a curator, said that if the cubs had been put in the enclosure, they would have posed a threat to the leading male in the pride, who would have killed them. "In nature, most of the cubs die within the first year. This is normal," he said.

The zoo has kept one male and one female, but admits it will also have to find them a home. "We tried every zoo we could think of. Hopefully, it will be easier to find a home for two," said Mr Jermann.



http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2007/07/29/wzoo129.xml

[Kagemusha]

1. ...Well, it is true the male would have killed them.

I don't think anyone can seriously dispute that.

Sad all around.

[MasonJar]

2. Did they advertise? I am sure most soos would love to have two endangered

lion cubs. That is unbelievable, killing an endangered animal.