Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 5:27 p.m.
Rabat – Azaghar, the new Atlas lion cub, fits perfectly into his group of lions, said Sunday in Rabat, the head of the zoology and veterinary department at the National Zoological Garden of Rabat (JZN), Saad Azizi.
“This lion cub, born in August 2024, is under the observation of zootechnical teams, in accordance with veterinary monitoring measures and specific care dedicated to this emblematic species, extinct in the wild since the beginning of the last century,” said Dr Azizi in a statement to MAP.
“This birth crowns the efforts made in terms of reproduction and conservation of this species,” he noted, specifying that the particularity of this birth is that it is the first within a newly formed group.
“We are keen to form new groups continuously to reduce inbreeding within individuals and increase the genetic diversity of this subspecies,” explained the veterinarian, adding that, since its birth in August, the lion cub has been subjected to a specific procedure including a rapid veterinary examination, determination of its sex and an assessment of maternal care.
During his first month, he was observed by caregivers, then from the second month, interventions such as electronic identification, vaccinations and anti-parasitic treatments were carried out, he said.
Finally, Azaghar and his mother Massa were gradually reintroduced to the group, first with the females and soon with the dominant male, he said.
Regarding the lion cub’s first name, “the digital community that follows the zoo chose Azaghar, a Berber name meaning the plains,” revealed Dr Azizi.
Morocco, renowned for its unique biodiversity and the richness of its fauna and flora, is currently the only country to preserve Atlas lions and to house the largest collection in the world of this species whose numbers vary between 30 and 40 individuals depending on the year.
Through its conservation program, the zoo aims to maintain a founding nucleus of this species, by promoting on the one hand regular and controlled reproduction and balanced management guaranteeing animal welfare conditions, on the other hand, with the aim of aim of ensuring the genetic diversity essential to the survival of this population in the long term.
Workshops to raise awareness of the need to protect endangered species and fragile ecosystems are planned during the next school holidays, with the aim of recalling the history of the Atlas lions and the importance of this heritage for current generations and future.
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