Three endangered lion brothers arrive at Belfast Zoo in major boost for conservation programme

Two of the three lion brothers now at home in Belfast Zoo

Three endangered Northern lion brothers have arrived at Belfast Zoo, giving visitors the chance to see one of the world’s rarest big cat populations while strengthening an international effort to protect the species from extinction.

Kumo, Djibo and Mao arrived at the Cave Hill zoo on 15 July after travelling from Zoo de La Boissière du Doré near Nantes in western France. Their transfer forms part of the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria’s Ex-Situ Programme (EEP), which coordinates breeding across Europe to maintain healthy, genetically diverse populations of threatened species.

The arrival marks an important step for Belfast Zoo after the loss of its two remaining Barbary lionesses in March, and reflects the zoo’s wider commitment to global conservation.

Fewer than 1,000 remain worldwide

Northern lions are now found in only a handful of areas across West Africa, Central Africa and India.

Conservationists estimate fewer than 1,000 remain in the wild worldwide. In West Africa, the situation is even more critical, with fewer than 250 animals believed to survive. The species has already disappeared from North Africa, southern Europe and western Asia.

For Belfast Zoo, bringing the three young brothers to Northern Ireland is part of a long-term international strategy to safeguard the future of the species.

Belfast Zoo's Northern Lions, Kumo, Djibo and Mao

Nigel Simpson, Zoo Development Manager at Belfast Zoo, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome these three magnificent Northern Lions to Belfast Zoo. Their arrival is an important milestone, not only for the Zoo and our visitors, but also for the international conservation work that takes place behind the scenes.

“Every animal movement through the EEP is carefully planned to support the long-term health and sustainability of the species and we are proud to play our part in that global collaborative effort.”

Part of a wider conservation success

The lions are the latest in a series of new arrivals designed to strengthen Belfast Zoo’s conservation work.

Recent additions have included a chimpanzee, a François’ langur, a golden lion tamarin and a white-crested turaco.

The zoo has also celebrated several successful births in recent months, including gentoo penguin chicks, maned wolf pups, a red panda cub, a cotton-top tamarin and pancake tortoise hatchlings.

Belfast Zoo currently participates in more than 60 international conservation breeding programmes for threatened species, working with zoos across the world to help secure the future of vulnerable wildlife.

Visitors can now meet the new arrivals

The arrival of the three lions also comes during a period of change for Belfast Zoo following the appointment of a new Zoo Development Manager and Operations Manager, with renewed emphasis on conservation, animal welfare, education and inspiring visitors to help protect wildlife.

Visitors can now see Kumo, Djibo and Mao exploring their new habitat as they settle into their surroundings under the close supervision of the zoo’s experienced animal care and veterinary teams.

While the trio are a new attraction for visitors, their arrival represents something much bigger — Belfast Zoo’s continuing role in an international conservation effort to ensure one of the world’s most endangered lion populations has a future.