5 critically endangered white lions born in Czech zoo

5 critically endangered white lions born in Czech zoo
Two of the newly born white lion quintuplets play inside their enclosure at the Dvorec Zoo in Dvorec, Czech Republic, Monday, Aug. 7, 2017. The five cubs, one male and four female, were born on May 04, 2017. For the critically endangered white lion, the quintuplets that were born in a czech zoo mean a vital contribution for their survival and a joy and responsibility of their keepers. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

For the critically endangered white lion, the quintuplets recently born in a Czech zoo are a vital contribution for survival, and a joy and responsibility for keepers.

Their May 4 birth was a shocking surprise. Quintuplets are an extreme rarity for , and curators could hardly get any advice from anyone else.

But a constant care paid off. As of Monday, all five—four female and one male—are in good health.

Under careful eyes of their parents, 7-year-old Tia and 6-year-old Agi, form what Dvorec Zoo director Viktor Ambroz calls "a great family."

White lions are a genetic rarity native to South Africa's Timbavati and Kruger regions. Less than 13 are estimated to live in the wild, while some 300 are in captivity.

  • 5 critically endangered white lions born in Czech zoo
    White lion mother Tia rests in the enclosure with her newly born quintuplets at the Dvorec Zoo in Dvorec, Czech Republic, Monday, Aug. 7, 2017. The five cubs, one male and four female, were born on May 04, 2017. For the critically endangered white lion, the quintuplets that were born in a czech zoo mean a vital contribution for their survival and a joy and responsibility of their keepers. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
  • 5 critically endangered white lions born in Czech zoo
    White lions parents Agi, right, and Tia, left, rest inside their enclosure at the Dvorec Zoo in Dvorec, Czech Republic, Monday, Aug. 7, 2017. Five cubs, one male and four female, were born on May 4, 2017. For the critically endangered white lion, the quintuplets that were born in a czech zoo mean a vital contribution for their survival and a joy and responsibility of their keepers. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)
  • 5 critically endangered white lions born in Czech zoo
    White lions Agi, right, and Tia, left, rest in their enclosure with their newly born quintuplets at the Dvorec Zoo in Dvorec, Czech Republic, Monday, Aug. 7, 2017. The five cubs, one male and four female, were born on May 04, 2017. For the critically endangered white lion, the quintuplets that were born in a czech zoo mean a vital contribution for their survival and a joy and responsibility of their keepers. (AP Photo/Petr David Josek)

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