Rare Atlas Lion Joins Paris Zoo, Preserving Extinct Subspecies

Alexis Lécu, one of the three veterinarians of the Paris Zoological Park interviewed by RFI, explains that lions are sociable animals, specifying that Volcan and the two females, Bunny and Savannah, are Atlas lions that lived in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia and no longer exist in the wild since the mid-20th century.

The Atlas lion is a subspecies of lion, even if this notion is not unanimously shared within the scientific community. "The animals you see here, in France or in Rabat, are extremely close to what the Atlas lion has been... So it’s still worth preserving this genetic diversity," said Mr. Lécu, who notes that this is also what zoos are for, and that is why they are not affected by the new law passed on January 29 in France on animal welfare.

Since Volcan has already mated with Bunny a few days after their first contact, it only remains for the ultrasound to confirm the good news, which will allow the species to be perpetuated, rejoices the veterinarian and scientific director of the Paris Zoological Park. "We want future generations not to see this in books or on tablets, but to see them for real... We will maintain a genetic diversity good enough for these animals, or rather their descendants, to be able to return to the natural environment. That would be ideal!" he wished.