Lion sires eight cubs after two vasectomies

SADDLEBROOKE, Mo. -- A Missouri tiger sanctuary is raising eight lion cubs that unexpectedly joined the family after a lion that had undergone two vasectomies sired them.

Leo the lion received his first vasectomy in 2015.

Late last year, National Tiger Sanctuary in Saddlebrooke staff was surprised to discover he had fathered two cubs.

Both died from a vitamin A deficiency, The Springfield News-Leader reported.

"They're really just like our family," sanctuary executive director Abbie Knudsen said of the late cubs. "You definitely carry a part of them with you forever. ... It really never gets easier."

The vitamin A deficiency came as a surprise to sanctuary staff because the cubs were able to nurse from their mother and therefore have sufficient vitamin A.

Staff members gave Leo a second vasectomy, but somehow he managed to sire eight additional cubs this year.

Keepers checking on one lioness on April Fools' Day found her with four cubs.

Staff then checked a second lioness for pregnancy, and four more cubs were born a month later.

The cubs are being monitored for their vitamin A levels, and Knudsen said they are healthy.

For now, the lionesses will be getting spayed.

Owner Judy McGee said aside from Leo's surprise, the sanctuary does not breed nor sell the cats because many of them sold or traded in the state are held in captivity and sometimes used for performances.

Knudsen said there aren't many laws in Missouri that regulate the ownership or selling of the animals.

While many of the cats at the sanctuary came from previous environments of abuse and neglect, Knudsen said the addition of the lion cubs that were born in the sanctuary is "joyous" and "uplifting."

The not-for-profit was founded in 2000 and focuses on caring for rescued exotic animals as well as educating the public, Knudsen said.