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SYDNEY - A zoo in New South Wales has become the first in the world to successfully rear a pride of five male white lion cubs.
White lion adults Tim and Snow have been part of a captive breeding programme at the Mogo Zoo, on the NSW south coast.
The programme proved its success with the arrival of the five cubs on February 7.
Revealing the births yesterday, Mogo Zoo owner Shelly Padey says producing a litter of five male white lion cubs is unique.
Zookeepers wanted to keep the births under wraps until the cubs, affectionately dubbed the "gangsters", were older.
"We didn't release it because we wanted to make sure everything went well with the pride," Padey said.
"They're [the cubs] little gangsters. They work as a little troop," Padey said.
"They're real little characters. It's beyond words how lucky I am."
The zoo, near Batemans Bay, specialises in endangered species and is now home to a 12-strong pride of big white cats.
- AAP
