The young big cat was born in September 2016 at the Pilsen Zoo and, like Caesar the lion, belongs to the subspecies of Barbary lions, which are already extinct in the wild. The name Amira comes from the Persian region and translates to “princess.” The cub also represents a tremendous breeding success for the Czech zoo, especially since it had been 41 years since the last lion cub was born there.

The transport took 7 hours and went according to plan despite wintery conditions. “While Caesar the lion found an empty enclosure upon his arrival, Amira the lioness has now been introduced to the male big cat. The next few weeks of cohabitation will lay the groundwork for future breeding,” said Zoological Director and veterinary specialist Dr. Reinhard Pichler.

For the first time in the history of the Styrian State Zoo, a female lion has made her home in Herberstein. “The Austrian retail company SPAR has taken on sponsorship of the young big cat as part of a comprehensive business partnership,” says Tierwelt Managing Director Doris Wolkner-Steinberger, expressing her delight at the collaboration between leading Styrian companies.