Tragic death of a baby lion at Schwerin Zoo.

- Tragic death of a baby lion at Schwerin Zoo.

In tragic news, an Asian lion cub born two weeks ago at Schwerin Zoo in Germany has passed away. The cub, whose mother is lioness Heidi, was the latest addition to the zoo's successful breeding program for Asian lions, a critically endangered species.

The cause of the cub's death remains unclear, with the possibility of sickness being a factor. An attempt was made to have lioness Rubi, who has a cub of her own, act as a foster mother for the deceased cub, but this was unsuccessful.

Rubi, who has been caring for her own four-week-old cub, initially showed interest in the foreign cub but did not continue to care for it. The cub's mother, Heidi, showed caring behavior initially but lost interest in recent days.

The Schwerin Zoo has a history of successful lion cub births and is part of a larger European breeding program for Asian lions. In the past two years, the zoo has successfully raised four lion cubs, including two from Heidi.

Zoo keepers made efforts to stabilize the cub through feedings and medication, but these efforts were unsuccessful. Rubi eventually killed the already weak lion cub.

Despite this loss, the Schwerin Zoo continues to play a vital role in conserving the Asian lion population. The zoo spokesperson reported on the cub's death and the mother's declining interest, expressing their sadness and commitment to the conservation efforts.

It's worth noting that Rubi continues to care for her own cub, a testament to the bond between a mother and her offspring. The name of the lioness who adopted the last Asiatic lion cub in Schwerin Zoo is not found in the provided search results.

The death of this cub serves as a reminder of the challenges faced in conservation efforts for critically endangered species. The Schwerin Zoo remains dedicated to its mission of breeding and caring for these precious animals, with hopes for a brighter future for the Asian lion population.