Three endangered lion cubs born at London Zoo

Three endangered Asiatic lion cubs have been born at London Zoo.

Born to seven-year-old mum, Arya, and 14-year-old dad Bhanu, the litter arrived on 13 March.

Zookeepers said they monitored Arya's six-hour labour with hidden cameras.

Head big cat keeper Kathryn Sanders said the cubs' birth was a "huge boost for the conservation breeding programme".

Footage captured by the zoo’s "cubcam" showed lioness Arya giving birth and tending to her cubs.

Since their birth, zookeepers have observed the three-week-old cubs’ milestones, including watching them take their first steps - without interrupting bonding time with their mother.

London Zoo said Arya was "proving to be a doting mum to her three cubs"

Asiatic lions are now found only in the Gir Forest in Gujarat, India.

Due to their reliance on just one habitat, they are particularly vulnerable to a disease outbreak or natural disaster, London Zoo said.

Ms Sanders said: “We are over the moon to be able to share the amazing news that we’ve had three endangered Asiatic lion cubs born at London Zoo.

“When the wild population is thought to be just 600 to 700 individuals, adding three to that number is a significant increase.

“Arya is proving to be a doting mum to her three cubs, and we’ve been able to observe some heartwarming moments via our hidden cubcam."

The zoo does not know the sex of the three cubs yet

The three infants have spent all their time so far inside their custom-built den, the zoo said.

They opened their eyes after 10 days.

Ms Sanders said: “We expect that the three-week-old cubs will likely stay inside with mum for a little while yet, although as the weather gets warmer, we might see them venturing outside soon."

The three cubs were yet to be named and keepers would confirm their sex after their first vet check and vaccinations, when they are 10 to 11 weeks old, the zoo added.