UK zoo welcomes not one, but THREE lion cubs for the first time in a decade

By FRANCINE WOLFISZ, NEWS REPORTER Published: 22:44, 30 July 2026 | Updated: 22:49, 30 July 2026 Blackpool Zoo is celebrating the first African lion cubs born in a decade - with three  making their arrival this week at the wildlife venue.  Proud first-time parents Hira and Khari are doing well after the triplets were born at the enclosure on July 26. The birth is particularly special for Khari, who was himself the last lion cub born at Blackpool Zoo in 2015 to Rachel and Wallace. Sadly his mother passed away on Christmas Eve when he was just six-months-old, leaving Wallace and Khari as the UK's only father and son collation of males. They lived together until Wallace passed away in 2022. During that same year Khari temporarily moved to ZSL Whipsnade Zoo while work on Blackpool Zoo's £1.5million Big Cat Habitat took place. The new facility opened a year later in 2023 and provides larger outdoor paddocks, expanded indoor accommodation and improved keeper facilities. After returning to Blackpool, Khari was joined by three lionesses, including Hira, who had been carefully selected to form a pride. Experts say the arrival of the cubs is a huge milestone for the species, which is currently classified as vulnerable in the wild.  Roar-some: Blackpool Zoo is celebrating the first African lion cubs born in a decade Picture paw-fect: First-time mother Hira stays close to her young cubs, born earlier this week Pride and joy: Experts say the arrival of the cubs is a huge milestone for the species, which is currently classified as vulnerable in the wild Lion around: One of the three young cubs - the first born in a decade at Blackpool Zoo All fur love: Hira keeps a close eye on her youngsters, which are just a few days old Good things come in threes: The new mother lies down contently with her triplets  The numbers of African lions have declined significantly over recent decades due to habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and the reduction of natural prey. As an inexperienced mother, Hira chose to give birth in the outdoor paddock so a temporary, partial closure of the viewing area has been put in place to give her and the cubs space to bond together as a family.  Adam Kenyon, section manager at Blackpool Zoo, said: 'We are absolutely delighted to welcome our first lion cubs in more than a decade. 'Since the day their dad, Khari, was born he has been a firm favourite with both our team and our visitors so his journey to fatherhood makes this moment even more special. 'It is still very early days for Hira and her cubs and the youngsters remain vulnerable at this stage, so our priority is giving them the time and space they need to settle in and bond as a family. 'We know visitors will be excited to meet the cubs but their welfare has to come first.  'The partial closure is being reviewed on a daily basis but even when the habitat is opened visitors will be very lucky to see them as Hira is keeping them safely tucked away in these early days of their life.' The zoo said it would share the cubs' genders and names in coming weeks.