New Blair Drummond lion cub ventures outside for first time

Published on 05/04/2012 14:51

A baby lion born at a Scottish wildlife park made its first foray into the open today under the watchful eye of its young parents.

The cub, named Libby, was born at Blair Drummond Safari Park near Stirling in September last year and is the first new lion arrival for a decade.

Her first steps into the Stirling air were monitored by her mother Teekay and father Dudley.

Lionkeeper Brian Reid, 39, named the cub after his own daughter Libby, who turns one a week on Saturday.

He finds he is going through some of the same experiences as Dudley.

Mr Reid, who also has two sons, said: “My baby is playful and it just seemed appropriate to name the cub after her. They are both little characters, both dead playful. Libby the lion jumps on her dad Dudley and plays with him just the same as my wee Libby.

“It’s great having a wee baby girl and a lion cub at the same time.”

The park has seven lionesses, including Libby, and one male lion.