VISITOR UPDATE Due to Storm Éowyn, we have made the decision to close today. Please note that The Playbarn will remain open as usual.Thank you for your understanding and patience.

How to Find Us Contact Search Latest News

What are you looking for?


You can also solve your question in our F.A.Q's section
Education & Conservation Discover the zoo Plan your visit Opening hours & prices Group Visits
Education
Conservation & Sustainability
Animals adoptions
  • Schools
  • School Bookings
  • Plan Your Visit
  • School Talks & Times
  • School & College Workshops
  • Keeper Courses
  • Keeper Cubs
  • Keeper Kids
  • Keeper Apprentice
  • Keeper Academy
  • A Future That's Wild
  • Students
  • Work experience
  • Research
  • Conservation
  • Programmes
  • Conservation Statement
  • Zoo Sustainability
  • Sustainable Palm Oil Community
Animals
What to do
Zoo's map
  • Experiences
  • Animal Habitats
  • Keeper Courses
  • Animal Interactions
  • Daily Talks
  • Big Cat Habitat
  • Playbarn
  • Dining
  • Cafes
  • Shopping
  • Gift Shops
Before your visit
During your visit
FAQs
Accessibility
  • Access statement
  • How to find us
  • Services
  • Our app
Opening hours
Prices
Discounts
Corporate Groups
Organised Groups
Schools
Tickets
Memberships
Meals
Animal Interactions
  • Day Tickets
  • OPEN DAY TICKET
  • Membership information
  • Members' Monthly Offers
  • Membership Terms and Conditions
  • Membership Renewals
  • Meet the Penguins
  • Feed a Giraffe
  • Carnivore Keeper
  • See all
What are you looking for?

You can also solve your question in our F.A.Q's section

2025 Memberships

Hurry! Become a member and save 20%!

  1. Home
  2. Latest News
  3. Meet our newest arrival, Khari
2015-07-02 | Animals

Meet our newest arrival, Khari

Meet our newest arrival, Khari
Share the post

Share


LINK SHARE
Copy link
SOCIAL SHARE

We're absolutely delighted to announce the birth of a healthy male lion cub!

We'd like you to meet the newest member of our pride - Khari! 

Born in the early hours of Sunday 31st May to first time mum, Rachel, the new arrival will join the pride with Father, Wallace, and aunty, Gillian, who, in line with the social order of a group of lions, the two females will work together to bring up the new arrival and the father will get more involved as the cub matures.

The new arrival has been spending his first few weeks bonding with mum in an off show cubbing den in the Big Cat House. Mother and cub have now been given access to the public dens, but only time will tell when she decides to carry him out to meet his adoring public.

Rachel gave birth to two cubs, however, initial health checks showed that the smaller of the two had a serious developmental problem and the very sad decision was made to euthanize him. Khari is making excellent progress and keepers and the veterinary team are delighted.  

This is the first time we've celebrated the birth of lion cubs since 2009, when Rachel’s half sister Gillian, gave birth to female triplets. The cubs, who were called Luna, Kimya and Nikita, left Blackpool in 2011 to begin an exciting life together as the foundation of a brand new pride at Longleat Safari Park. They settled in very well and now have cubs of their own.

Adam Kenyon, Section Head of Mammals, said: “We are absolutely delighted to announce the birth of a healthy lion cub.

“We had prepared the cubbing den because we knew the birth was imminent and our keepers waited with baited breath.

“New babies are always a cause for real celebration as it means the group is content with their surroundings, which is testament to the fantastic job our keepers do.  It’s sad to have lost a cub, but these decisions are not taken lightly.

“As we approach our busiest time of the year it will be wonderful to see the new cub exploring his home.

“He already has a distinct personality, taking after his aunty Gillian – very vocal and active!”

Rachel is 13 years old and was born in Blair Drummond Safari Park in Scotland. She came to Blackpool Zoo in 2007. Wallace arrived a year later from Longleat, where he was born in 2006.

 

We're absolutely delighted to announce the birth of a healthy male lion cub! We'd like you to meet the newest member of our pride - Khari!

OUR STANDARDS

  • BIAZA
  • EAZA - European Association of Zoos and Aquaria
  • Tripadvisor
  • About Us
  • Jobs
  • FAQs
  • Contact info
  • Latest News
  • Site Map
  • Buy Tickets
  • Our App

OTHER ATTRACTIONS OF THE GROUP

  • Oceanarium Bournemouth
  • Nickleodeon Adventure, lakeside
  • Lakes Aquarium
  • Privacy Policy
  • Legal
  • Cookies Policy
  • Terms
  • Employee Privacy Policy
  • Park rules

© Blackpool Zoo