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Longleat lions destroyed 'because of genetic defects' Longleat lions destroyed 'because of genetic defects'
(35 minutes later)
Five lions were destroyed at Longleat Safari Park because they had serious genetic defects caused by inbreeding, bosses said. Five lions were destroyed at Longleat Safari Park because they had serious genetic defects caused by inbreeding, managers said.
In a statement the Wiltshire park said it had no choice but to put down a lioness and her cubs, because they displayed "odd aggressive behaviour". In a statement, the Wiltshire park said it had no choice but to put down a lioness and her cubs because they displayed "odd aggressive behaviour".
A sixth lion was also destroyed after the lioness attacked it. A sixth lion was destroyed after the lioness attacked it.
Longleat said the lioness's behaviour was due to "poorly managed genetic history prior to her arrival".Longleat said the lioness's behaviour was due to "poorly managed genetic history prior to her arrival".
Neurological problemsNeurological problems
The lioness, called Louisa was 18 months old when she arrived at the park, was initially thought to have suffered from poor nutrition. The lioness, called Louisa, was 18 months old when she arrived at the park and was initially thought to be suffering from the effects of poor nutrition.
However, it became "apparent that she was suffering from neurological problems" as a result of "relatively high levels of inbreeding", the park said in a statement. However, it became "apparent that she was suffering from neurological problems" as a result of "relatively high levels of inbreeding", the park said.
The four cubs also showed signs of neurological problems such as "incoordination and odd aggressive behaviour that were not considered normal or appropriate compared to other animals within the collection".The four cubs also showed signs of neurological problems such as "incoordination and odd aggressive behaviour that were not considered normal or appropriate compared to other animals within the collection".
The park said it would have been irresponsible to move the animals to another collection. It added that no responsible zoo would take them with their "genetically related health issues". The park said it would have been irresponsible to move the animals to another collection.
It added that no responsible zoo would take them with their "genetically related health issues".
It took "the utmost care in trying to protect the welfare and safety of all our animals" and it "reluctantly decided that euthanasia was the responsible option", it added.It took "the utmost care in trying to protect the welfare and safety of all our animals" and it "reluctantly decided that euthanasia was the responsible option", it added.