Vote For Names For The New Lion Cubs At Woodland Park Zoo

The Woodland Park Zoo invites everyone to vote on their favorite names for the new lion cubs – by January 26^th. Voters can give the three male cubs their names, and be entered to win a ZooParent lion cub adoption. Cast your vote on-line from among a selection of names derived from languages of the South African range – the cubs ethnic heritage.

Mama Lion Adia with her three new, male cubs at Woodland Park Zoo. Photo by Ryan Hawk, Jan '15 — Mama Lion Adia with her three new, male cubs at Woodland Park Zoo. Photo by Ryan Hawk, Jan ’15

The name that gets the most votes will automatically be chosen for one of the cubs. The second, third and fourth most popular names will be given to mama lion, Adia, and papa lion, Xerxes, with enrichment choices, and the two names they touch first will be selected.

New papa lion, Xerxes, with his new sons at Woodland Park Zoo. Photo by Ryan Hawk, Jan '15 — New papa lion, Xerxes, with his new sons at Woodland Park Zoo. Photo by Ryan Hawk, Jan ’15

The name choices are:

Bokang (meaning ‘praise’ or ‘rejoice’)
Pule (‘Rainy/In The Rain’)
Tandie (‘Fire’)
Karabo (‘Answer’)
Letlotlo (‘Treasure’)
Phahamo (‘Eminence’)
Fanyana (‘Little Boy’)
Bheka (‘Behold’)
Mandla (‘Power/Strength’)
Gandia (‘Clever’)

Adia with one of her cubs, feeling clingy, at Woodland Park Zoo. Photo by Ryan Hawk, Jan '15 — Adia with one of her cubs, feeling clingy, at Woodland Park Zoo. Photo by Ryan Hawk, Jan ’15

In early January, the cubs took their first steps outside as practice for their public debut. They were with Adia and first-time dad Xerxes, who is equal parts curious and cautious around the cubs. As weather allows, the cubs will spend more and more time outside and Zoo visitors may have a chance to see them – although sightings will be irregular and opportunistic until late February or early March when a consistent viewing schedule may be established.

'What'cha doin' Dad?' At Woodland Park Zoo, one of the new cubs checks in on a slightly reluctant father, Xerxes. Photo by Ryan Hawk, Jan '15 — ‘What’cha doin’ Dad?’ At Woodland Park Zoo, one of the new cubs checks in on a slightly reluctant father, Xerxes. Photo by Ryan Hawk, Jan ’15

See more about the behavior of the cubs, and their parents, during their brief time outside – and more adorable photos of the precious critters – on the Woodland Park Zoo blog.