Losing a mane attraction: Winnipeg zoo's rare lions moving to England

They will roar no more at Winnipeg's Assiniboine Park Zoo.

The zoo's rare Asiatic lions, twin brothersBhanuandKamal,are headingto zoological facilities in England.The move is being made on the recommendation of the European Endangered Species Program (EEP), which is hoping to breed the lions.

Bhanuwill move to the London Zoo on Feb. 24 andKamalwill be transferred to theChessingtonZoo in mid-March.Both facilities are home to female Asiatic lions.

"They're going to meet some young ladies over there," saidJacquieColeman, the headzookeeperfor the lions since they arrivedin Winnipegin the spring of 2012 from theZoologischerGartenMagdeburgin Germany.

The EEP is the European counterpart of the Association of Zoos and Aquariums Species Survival Program (SSP) and facilitates breeding programs for species that urgently need to be conserved and protected in the wild.

"We know that the lions are a visitor favourite, andwhile we're sad to see them go, this is an important part of species survival and helping save endangered species," said GaryLunsford, head of zoological operations in Winnipeg.

It has taken almost 100 years for the Asiatic lion a subspecies of the African lion butwith a shortermane so the ears are always visible to climb backfrom the brink ofextinction. They were"critically endangered" in1918 whenthere were just 19 left in the world, Coleman said.

There are now 200 to 260 in the wild, living in India's Gir Forests, where they are heavily protected, the Assiniboine Park Conservancy says. Another 200 of the lions live in zoos worldwide.

Coleman will escortthe brothers on their journey, to help them transition to their new homes, and promises tocheck in on them "all the time" by calling the zoos and finding out how they're adapting.

The public isinvited to visit the Winnipeg zoo this weekend to say goodbye to the lions. Zookeeper talks are scheduled for 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. on both Saturday and Sunday so visitors can learn more about the cats.

There is no word yet on what will take the exhibit space left vacant whenBhanuandKamal leave.

"We're currently working on potential options for the exhibit space, and we'll be sure to keep the public informed of what new and exciting changes will be coming in the near future,"Lunsford said.