The Denver Zoo is celebrating the birth of two African lion cubs.
The brother and sister were born last Thursday.
The new cubs are currently behind the scenes with their mother, Neliah. The family is being monitored via a closed circuit camera.
Zookeepers say the cubs are precocious, moving around frequently, vocalizing and naturally competing when trying to nurse at the same time.
Keepers say Neilah, a first-time mom, is very calm and attentive, regularly grooming the two and allowing them to nurse.
"This is the first time we’ve had lion cubs at Denver Zoo since 2006, and we are thrilled,” says Denver Zoo Vice President for Animal Care Hollie Colahan.
Local residents are being invited to name the cubs. Zookeepers will choose two names from each county in the seven county metro area (Adams, Arapahoe, Boulder, Broomfield, Denver, Douglas or Jefferson), then the public will vote on the final two names from the list of 14 choices. Zoo officials said keepers will select their favorite names based on originality and creativity.
The winners will receive a behind-the-scenes tour of Benson Predator Ridge, $50 in lion-themed merchandise and meet the cubs up-close.
Enter the naming contest here.
