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Newborn Lion Cub Freezes To Death In Subzero Temperatures At UK Zoo

Newborn Lion Cub Freezes To Death In Subzero Temperatures At UK Zoo

Tragically, the lion cub is said to have ‘succumbed to the elements very quickly'.

Joanna Freedman

Joanna Freedman

A lion club was tragically left to freeze to death during the Beast from the East this week.

The poor creature wandered outside its sleeping area and into the sub-zero outside area, and was sadly found dead by keepers at Port Lympne Safari Park in Kent.

A spokesman for the park said the lion had left bedroom door in the early hours of Tuesday morning, and "succumbed to the elements very quickly".

The cub pictured in its enclosure (
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve)

"During the early hours of Tuesday morning, we became aware that one of the lion cubs was not visible,' the statement said.

"We believe it ventured out through the bedroom door unnoticed by its mother. With below-freezing temperatures, it would have become weak and succumbed to the elements very quickly".

"It later became clear that it had indeed passed away during the night."

The cub of lions Oudrika and Adras - one of three born on January 13th 2021.

There were originally three cubs - the second trio to be born at the park (
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve)

The births was broadcast live on conservation charity, The Aspinall Foundation's YouTube channel, and were the second batch for the pair of lions - whose 2019 cubs were the first lions to be born at Port Lympe in over a decade.

While the new set of cubs were all born healthy, one sadly passed away shortly after birth, meaning there is now only one cub left.

The elder cubs - Kulinda, Khari and Binti - had been caring for the little lions since they were born.

"We are all incredibly upset by these events but the remaining cub appears strong," a spokesperson from the zoo added.

Three cubs were born in January (
Port Lympne Hotel & Reserve)

Oudrika is now looking after her final cub in a separate shelter, but they are expected to return to the main den soon.

It comes amid Storm Darcey and the snow that has hit much of the UK in recent days.

This is such terribly sad news.

Featured Image Credit: PA

Topics: Life News, News, Animals