Lion Cub Simba Born in Singapore via Artificial Insemination

The Singapore Zoo has a new lion cub named Simba who was conceived via artificial insemination | AFP
The Singapore Zoo has a new lion cub named Simba who was conceived via artificial insemination | AFP
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Lion Cub Simba Born in Singapore via Artificial Insemination

The Singapore Zoo has a new lion cub named Simba who was conceived via artificial insemination | AFP
The Singapore Zoo has a new lion cub named Simba who was conceived via artificial insemination | AFP

The Singapore Zoo has welcomed a lion cub named Simba to its animal kingdom following artificial insemination that officials said Tuesday was a first for the city-state.

It is rare for lions to be conceived through artificial insemination, with the procedure first carried out successfully in 2018 -- resulting in two cubs in South Africa.

Lion populations in the wild have plummeted more than 40 percent over the past two decades, with about 23,000 to 39,000 mature animals left, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

It lists lions as vulnerable.

Singapore's new cub, named after the main character in Disney's "The Lion King", was conceived with semen from an elderly African lion.

The father Mufasa, who also takes his name from the animated film, was in poor health and did not survive the procedure, the zoo said.

Simba, who was born in October, is being cared for by his mother Kayla and zookeepers, and is "healthy and inquisitive", officials said.

A video showed Simba being fed from a bottle and playing with a ball.



Deals Signed for Hotel Development at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah

The project will feature a dedicated fan zone, health and fitness clubs, swimming pools, international restaurants, retail outlets, athlete-specific facilities, and conference and event halls - SPA
The project will feature a dedicated fan zone, health and fitness clubs, swimming pools, international restaurants, retail outlets, athlete-specific facilities, and conference and event halls - SPA
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Deals Signed for Hotel Development at King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah

The project will feature a dedicated fan zone, health and fitness clubs, swimming pools, international restaurants, retail outlets, athlete-specific facilities, and conference and event halls - SPA
The project will feature a dedicated fan zone, health and fitness clubs, swimming pools, international restaurants, retail outlets, athlete-specific facilities, and conference and event halls - SPA

The Saudi Ministry of Sport has announced the signing of contracts with several local and international companies to manage, operate, and develop the construction of two hotels within King Abdullah Sports City in Jeddah.

The project involves the construction of two world-class hotels built to the highest engineering standards, offering integrated services tailored to meet the needs of visitors, tourists, and sports delegations and supporting the Kingdom’s capacity to host major international sporting events, SPA reported.

Spanning approximately 16,000 square meters, the project will feature a dedicated fan zone, health and fitness clubs, swimming pools, international restaurants, retail outlets, athlete-specific facilities, and conference and event halls.

It is part of the ministry’s commitment to increasing private sector participation in the development of sports infrastructure and aligns with the broader objectives of Saudi Vision 2030 by fostering a modern, dynamic environment within the Kingdom’s sports cities.