Russia: Lion Cub Found By Children Now At Zoo

A lion cub found by school children in a Russian village is now being
cared for at a nearby zoo.


The children found the cub wandering free inthe southern Rostov region
and took it back to their school to show their classmates and
teachers.


The animal was briefly kept in the school gym, until police collected
it and took it to a nearby zoo - to the amazement of zoo staff.


"To be honest, we didn't believe it when we heard it first, but police
wouldn't be making ajoke," said Rostov Zoo deputy director Irina
Gribanova.


"Then we saw it with our own eyes and werereally amazed.


"There has never been such a case that a lion cub was found in the
wild here in our region or somewhere else around. The cub is in a
healthy condition - with a good appetite.


"I can't remember something like that even though I have worked in the
zoo for the last 32 years. Something like this has never happened."


Police are still searching for the owner of the animal, which they say
may have escaped from a travelling zoo as it passed through thearea.


Police spokesman Vladislav Lazurenko said:"The wild animal had no lead
and no muzzle on. The kids have brought it to the local school, the
teachers placed the lion cub to the school's gym and informed the
police about the incident."


The cub, nicknamed Barsik, is described as being in a "rather good
condition" and is believed to be around six-months-old.