Lion cubs are born in Rwanda in boost to predator's fortunes

JOHANNESBURG – Three lion cubs were born in a wildlife park in Rwanda, boosting efforts to restore the country's lion population, which was wiped out following the country's 1994 genocide.

African Parks, a Johannesburg-based group that manages Akagera National Park in Rwanda, says the mother is 11-year-old Shema, one of seven lions that were transported from South Africa to Rwanda last year. Their father, Ntwari, is five years old, one of two males in the group from South Africa.

Sarah Hall, Akagera's tourism and marketing manager, on Friday described the news of the litter as "really exciting."

Cattle herders poisoned Rwanda's last lions after the park was left unmanaged in the genocide's aftermath. Returning refugees took over much of the park, reducing its size by more than half.