Three newborn lion cubs in war-scarred Gaza - in pictures

  • Three newborn lion cubs in a cardboard box at Nama zoo in Gaza City. They were born five days after Israel and Palestinian militants ended a fierce round of cross-border fighting. AP
    Three newborn lion cubs in a cardboard box at Nama zoo in Gaza City. They were born five days after Israel and Palestinian militants ended a fierce round of cross-border fighting. AP
  • Veterinarian Mahmoud Al Sultan said each cub weighed about 700 grams. He said he felt lucky the birth was successful despite the deafening sound of constant explosions during three days of fighting. The cubs’ mother suffered miscarriages in the past, he said. AFP
    Veterinarian Mahmoud Al Sultan said each cub weighed about 700 grams. He said he felt lucky the birth was successful despite the deafening sound of constant explosions during three days of fighting. The cubs’ mother suffered miscarriages in the past, he said. AFP
  • Loud noise 'causes stress to wild animals, especially the lions, whose roars get higher, and they keep moving in a circular way inside the cage,' he said. AP
    Loud noise 'causes stress to wild animals, especially the lions, whose roars get higher, and they keep moving in a circular way inside the cage,' he said. AP
  • A zoo employee helps a lioness clean her newborn lion cub at Nama zoo in Gaza City. AP
    A zoo employee helps a lioness clean her newborn lion cub at Nama zoo in Gaza City. AP
  • One of the newborn lion cubs at Nama zoo. AP
    One of the newborn lion cubs at Nama zoo. AP
  • In the past, a number of animals in small private Gaza zoos have starved to death or have been killed in the long-running conflict, which has included four Israel-Hamas wars and countless smaller skirmishes. AP
    In the past, a number of animals in small private Gaza zoos have starved to death or have been killed in the long-running conflict, which has included four Israel-Hamas wars and countless smaller skirmishes. AP
  • A Palestinian worker sprays antibiotics on a newborn lion cub. AP
    A Palestinian worker sprays antibiotics on a newborn lion cub. AP
  • Visitors have flocked to the small Nama zoo on the outskirts of Gaza City, with children allowed to pet the newborns. Nama is operated by a private charity, putting it in a slightly better position than other zoos that often struggle to provide for their animals. AP
    Visitors have flocked to the small Nama zoo on the outskirts of Gaza City, with children allowed to pet the newborns. Nama is operated by a private charity, putting it in a slightly better position than other zoos that often struggle to provide for their animals. AP
  • Schools organise daily trips to the zoo and the entry fee is less than $1, helping to cover costs. The zoo also houses a variety of birds, monkeys, deer, foxes, wolves and hyenas. AP
    Schools organise daily trips to the zoo and the entry fee is less than $1, helping to cover costs. The zoo also houses a variety of birds, monkeys, deer, foxes, wolves and hyenas. AP