MONCTON, NB - The introduction of two lion cubs at the Magnetic Hill Zoo hasn't gone exactly as planned.

Zoo Manager Bruce Dougan says the cubs are settling into the zoo's lion habitat nicely, but their integration with 10-year-old lioness "Kito" hasn't been a smooth one.

Dougan say problems arose when Kito came into heat and became frustrated when the male cub wouldn't mate with her.

"He was too young to know what his role was, and she went from frustration, to anger, to aggression and started beating on him pretty well."

Dougan says the confrontation came to a head one evening in August when Kito savagely attacked the male cub, leaving deep lacerations on his hind quarters.

He says for safety's sake, Kito will be sent back to her zoo of origin in Seagrave, Ontario where she will likely be introduced into a pride of older lions.