MULTAN: A lioness at a private zoo in Multan has given birth to three cubs.
Fazl Abbas, the owner of the private zoo, said Raani, the lioness, had earlier given birth to three cubs last year.
He said the newborns were in perfect health. “We are giving Raani six kilogrammes milk and eight kilogrammes meat,” Abbas said.
The birth of cubs has also attracted the attention of the children of the area. People from Multan and adjoining districts are coming to see the cubs and their mother in large numbers.
Abbas says he is very happy at the birth of the cubs. “I love animals. For me, every zoo animal is important and deserves special care and attention,” he said.
Abbas said the zoo was established four decades ago.
He said the lioness and her children were being kept in an air conditioned section at the zoo due to the harsh weather.
Abbas said he had distributed sweets in the city at the birth of the cubs. He said he would gift one of the cubs to Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif.
“I have many rare animals and birds in my zoo. It is my passion to promote the care and love for animals,” he said. “For me, a donkey is equal to a lion in terms of care because both deserve equal attention from their owner as these are creatures in our care,” he said.
Recently, Rocky the lion of Lahore zoo passed away of old age and illness.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 14th, 2014.