Brutus becomes a father to three cubs at South African zoo, despite having the snip three years ago… but now he faces a second op
- Brutus' partner Nala gave birth to the three cubs just before Christmas
- Drakenstein Lion Park in Cape Town - where Nala and Brutus live - is a non-breeding sanctuary
- The birth is being called the 'Christmas miracle' or 'white Christmas' as the lions have white coats - due to an unusual genetic mutation
A
South African lion who fathered three 'miracle' cubs - despite having
had a vasectomy in his youth - is going back to the vet to have the snip
a second time.
The
lion, known as Brutus, and his partner Nala, live at the Drakenstein
Lion Park near Cape Town, and stunned staff at the sanctuary when she
gave birth to the cubs just before Christmas.
The
unusual course of events have been referred to as a 'Christmas miracle'
or 'White Christmas' as the parents - and now the cubs - are rare white
lions due to an unusual genetic mutation.
Proud parents: Nala (left) has just
given birth to three cubs despite father Brutus (right) having had a
vasectomy three years ago - he now has to return to the vets to have the
snip a second time
Mother Nala gave birth to the little cubs at Drakenstein Lion Park near Cape Town in South Africa just before Christmas
Park
owner Paul Hart said: 'We are a non-breeding sanctuary and Brutus before
he became sexually mature had a vasectomy, which we assumed worked
because for the last three years there has been no offspring.
'So we were taken completely by surprise by the cubs.'
Mother and cubs, who have yet to be named, are doing fine, while Brutus has a date with a vet.
Hart added: 'Hopefully, this time round, we'll fix the problem.'
The
Drakenstein Lion Park is a private sanctuary that rescues captive lions
from abusive environments that cannot be released into the wild.
The little cubs - who have not yet
been named - have a white coat and are being called a 'Christmas
miracle'. Both parents are rare white lions due to an unusual genetic
mutation
The Park owner said they were taken completely by surprise by the birth, but mother and cubs are said to be doing fine
Drakenstein Lion Park, where Nala and Brutus live, is a private sanctuary that rescues captive lions from abusive environments
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