Pictures of what appears to be ‘starving’ lions at the Achimota Forest Zoo have gone viral on social media, prompting members of the public to raise concerns about the welfare of animals in Ghana.

In one of the photos available to DAILY GUIDE, the lions appear so lean that members of the public are alleging that they are being starved at the Achimota Zoo by the officials.

Currently, the Achimota Forest is the only area in Accra where some animals are being kept after animals in the main Accra Zoo were transferred to Kumasi.

However, the Ghana Forestry Commission, which is in charge of the Achimota Zoo, has denied the reports.

Executive Director of the Wildlife Division of the Forestry Commission, Nana Kofi Adu Nsiah, told the paper that the animals had never been starved at the zoo.

He said the lions were brought to Ghana from South Africa about two weeks ago and were being quarantined.

He asked angrily whether those making the allegations know how to feed lions.

Another official of the Forestry Commission, who also spoke to DAILY GUIDE on condition of anonymity, said the lions were one year old.

The official said the animals are trying to adjust to climatic conditions in Ghana.

According to the official, professionals were taking good care of the animals at the Achimota Zoo and that there was no cause for alarm.