He now shares the Asian lion habitat with Kamala, a nine-year-old female. This habitat is located near Sea Lion Cove and close to the red panda enclosure.
Kushanu arrived in March and is developing a strong bond with Kamala, much to the delight of Dublin Zoo staff. They are hopeful that the pair will breed and produce healthy cubs. The zoo participates in the European Endangered Species Programme for Asian lions, which oversees the management and breeding of these animals.
Roarrr! Dublin Zoo has a new arrival, introducing… 🥁…Kushanu!
— Dublin Zoo (@DublinZoo) July 31, 2024
The male Asian lion arrived from Edinburgh Zoo and joins female Kamala at the Asian lion habitat located beside Sea Lion Cove and close to the red panda habitat 🦁🐾 pic.twitter.com/54HnAxeTVX
Ciaran McMahon, the team leader at Dublin Zoo, expressed excitement about Kushanu’s arrival, noting that he is settling in well. “We look forward to hearing Kushanu’s impressive roars, and visitors can look forward to seeing his distinctive mane as he explores his new habitat,” McMahon stated.
The Asian lion is classified as endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), with an estimated 500-600 individuals remaining in the wild. Their primary habitat is the Gir National Park and Sanctuary in India, which makes them vulnerable to threats such as habitat loss, illegal hunting, natural disasters, diseases, and conflicts with farmers when lions wander onto their land.
Asian lions are distinguished from their African relatives by their shorter, darker manes. Known as ambush predators, these meat-eating lions possess the loudest roar among big cats, which can be heard up to eight kilometres away. The mane of the male lion is unique among cats and serves as a sign of maturity and dominance.