Lion Cub Euthanized at Paignton Zoo

A SICK lion cub has had to be put down at Paignton Zoo.

Vets and keepers at the environmental park have been battling to save the rare female Asiatic cub since it was born in June.

The cub had been cared for in a secluded den by its mother since then.

It was the first successful baby after several failed attempts for Mwamba, who came to Paignton Zoo in August 2006 from Twycross Zoo in the Midlands and female Indu, which was born at Paignton Zoo in October 2003.

However, it had to be put to sleep because of spinal defects which became apparent as it grew.

Neil Bemment, Paignton Zoo director of operations and curator of mammals, said: “We had to do what was right for her. This is a great sadness for us and a real setback for the species, which is listed as endangered. We noticed an apparent curving of the spine and then lameness.

“Our in-house vet team intervened right away. We carried out a full health check and took X-rays which is when we identified the curvature of spine.”

http://www.thisissouthdevon.co.uk/Sick-lion-cub-sleep-zoo/story-13199396-detail/story.html