Were you lion about having a vasectomy?

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 

By Alexandra Genova For Mailonline

Published: 30 December 2015

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

 source