Czech zoo welcomes Barbary lion cubs whose population is extinct in the wild

One of the four Barbary lion cubs with its parents (Petr David Josek/AP)

Four Barbary lion cubs have been born in a Czech zoo, a vital contribution to a small surviving population of the rare lion which is extinct in the wild.

The three females and one male played in their outdoor enclosure at Dvur Kralove Safari Park on Wednesday, enjoying themselves under the watchful eyes of their parents, Khalila and Bart.