Scientists anticipate birth of Cecil the lion's grandcubs

Son Xanda is spotted mating as public donation for Oxford University's lion research work in Zimbabwe crosses $1m

The son of Cecil, the lion killed by American dentist and hunter Walter Palmer in July, has been observed mating and scientists now anticipate the birth of Cecil's grandcubs in March.

"Xanda was seen mating repeatedly with lionesses from the so-called Backpans pride," said Professor David Macdonald, founding director of Oxford University's Wildlife Conservation Research Unit (WildCRU), which has been researching the lions in Hwange national park, Zimbabwe, where Cecil was killed, since 1999. "Pregnancy in lions lasts about 110 days, so all being well Cecil's grand offspring should be around in March."