A lioness has given birth to world's first test-tube lion cubs in South Africa. The lioness was impregnated with the harvested sperm of a male lion through in-vitro fertilisation. The big cat gave birth to two healthy cubs named Viktor and Isabel at Ukutulu Game Reserve & Conservation Centre three and a half months later. A research team at the University of Pretoria conducted the necessary research in a bid to save the species threatened by extinction. According to reports, scientists say that this is a breakthrough for saving highly endangered animals like tiger and snow leopard.

The Sun quoted Professor Andre Ganswindt of the University of Pretoria Mammal Research Institute as saying, "There are tremendous threats to wildlife due to the loss of habitat and anthropogenic pressures which also affect big cats. That is why a number of species are listed as vulnerable or endangered but this research could combat the threat of extinction facing several types of big cat around the world." Baby Humboldt Penguin Born On August 15 Dies At Byculla Zoo in Mumbai

Here are pictures of the newborn lion cubs:

He said that the research was carried out to maintain the population of endangered animals. The project's main researcher Dr Isabel Callealta said, "This was a world first for lions and the idea is to improve our knowledge and understanding of the big cats and move the research quickly forward."

In the wilds of Asia, there are believed to be less than 4000 tigers left and less than 7000 snow leopards in Central Asia. Around 300 Iberian Lynx are only left in Spain. While in Africa there are 18,000 lions. Talking about the cubs, the owner of Ukutulu Game Reserve & Conservation Centre Willi Jacob said, "When they are big enough they will be introduced to the other lions but meanwhile they are happy and healthy and playful and leading us a merry dance."

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 04, 2018 10:12 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).