Written by Karel Janicek
DVUR KRALOVE, Czech Republic (AP) An important contribution to the few remaining populations of the rare lion that is extinct in the wild is the recent birth of four Barbary lion cubs in a Czech zoo.
Under the cautious eyes of its parents, Khalila and Bart, the three ladies and one male were spotted playing in their outdoor enclosure at Dv r Kr lov Safari Park on Wednesday.
That will soon change. The cubs will go to other participating parks, including as the Israeli zoo in Beersheba, as part of a global endangered species initiative that coordinates efforts for their survival in captivity.
It’s likely that the animal’s story may not finish there.
Although some initial initiatives have been taken toward the potential restoration of the Barbary lion into its natural habitat, Dv r Kr lov Deputy Director Jaroslav Hyj nek stated that this is still a long way off.
The Barbary lion, a magnificent member of the Northern lion subspecies, used to roam freely throughout its native northern Africa, which included the Atlas Mountains.
They were formerly a sign of power, but human activity nearly killed them out. During the Roman era, gladiators killed a lot of them, and eventually habitat degradation and overhunting led to their demise.
The last wild lion was slain in 1942, and the last documented photograph of one was taken in 1925.
The final minor populations are thought to have gone extinct in the wild in the mid-1960s.
The latest estimate of Barbary lions in captivity is less than 200.
“A conference of experts has been scheduled to take place in Morocco late this year or early 2026 to decide whether it would make sense to go ahead with such a plan in one of the national parks in the Atlas Mountains,” Hyj nek said, following initial discussions with Moroccan authorities who have not rejected the idea of their reintroduction.
Numerous administrative and other challenges would arise with any reinstatement. The plans would need to guarantee their protection, a healthy population of prey, and the collaboration and approval of local populations because the lion has been absent from the ecosystem for a very long time.
According to Hyj Nek, if such a shift proves to be sustainable, it is still worthwhile to try.
According to him, it’s critical to have this kind of vision for any animal. Without it, zoos wouldn’t be necessary institutions.
