By Ed Chatterton

Two of the world’s rarest lions have arrived at a UK zoo as part of a breeding program to help save the highly endangered big cats from extinction.

The pair of Asiatic lions - male Nilay and female Shanti - have been welcomed at Chester Zoo as part of global efforts to protect the species from vanishing forever.

The pair were genetically matched as part of an international conservation breeding program and it is hoped they will go on to have cubs together.

Conservationists say they have formed ‘an instant connection’ upon meeting after Nilay travelled from Köln Zoo in Germany and Shanti arrived from London Zoo.

Majestic photos show the pair exploring their new enclosure, which has been designed to look like India’s Gir Forest - the only place where they still roam f

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