1 of 10
Three Barbary lion cubs have been born in a Czech zoo, a vital contribution to a small surviving population of the rare lion subspecies that is extinct in the wild.
Image Credit: Reuters
2 of 10
The triplets, all female, were born on July 5 in the Dvur Kralove park.
Image Credit: Reuters
3 of 10
They have taken their first steps in their outdoor enclosure this week under the careful supervision of their mother, Khalila.
Image Credit: Reuters
4 of 10
They are yet to be named.
Image Credit: Reuters
5 of 10
One of the biggest lion subspecies, which once roamed its native northern Africa, Barbary lions were almost completely wiped out due to human activities.
Image Credit: Reuters
6 of 10
Many were killed by gladiators in Roman times, while hunting contributed to their extinction later.
Image Credit: Reuters
7 of 10
It's believed Barbary lions went extinct in the wild in the middle of the 1960s.
Image Credit: Reuters
8 of 10
Only a few dozen survived in the collection of the King of Morocco.
Image Credit: Reuters
9 of 10
The Czech zoo is part of a pan-European endangered species program that coordinates efforts for their survival in captivity.
Image Credit: Reuters
10 of 10
Currently, their global population is estimated at around 100.
Image Credit: Reuters