The first cub born to female lion Nababiep (pictured) earlier this week has died. Photo by Mehgan Murphy, courtesy Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Awful news for baby animal lovers. Officials at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo confirm that the lion cub born Tuesday has died. Lion keepers observed Thursday evening that the cub had stopped responding to its mother, and after moving mom Nababiep out of her den, were able to confirm the death. The cub…

Photo by Mehgan Murphy, courtesy Smithsonian’s National Zoo For the first time in more than 20 years, a lion pride has successfully reproduced at the Smithsonian’s National Zoo. Zoo officials say a cub was born to 6-year-old lion Nababiep early this morning. Tragically, the zoo has yet to release any cuddly wuddly images of the brand new baby lion. Images accompanying the press release sent out with the birth announcement were only of the…