Newborn lion cubs at London Zoo

Lucifer the lion has been blessed with the arrival of two critically endangered Asian lion cubs.

Nicknamed Pumpkin and Spook, the seven-week-old cubs are the second pair to be born to the Zoo’s love-cats Abi, 12, and Lucifer, eight, in two years.

And for the first time ever at the Zoo the birth was captured on camera by excited keepers.

Already developing their own personalities, Pumpkin and Spook who are still feeding on milk from their mum, are now beginning to play-fight with each other. 

Zookeeper Tony Cholerton says: “We’re thrilled about the arrival of Lucifer’s cubs. They’re full of energy and are proving a real hit with their doting mum.

“It’s lovely to see that Abi is making such a good mother and we’re expecting that Lucifer will be a roaring success as a second-time dad.”