This Recently Born Lion Cub Is Dublin Zoo’s Latest Addition And Here’s Your Chance To Name Her

Dublin Zoo is all about celebrating its youngest animals at the moment, what with their elephants’ first birthday party last week, and the zookeepers are now holding a competition to name their youngest Asian lion.

The female lion cub was born to parents Sita and dad Kumar on June 25, but has since remained unnamed. Sita came from Mulhouse Zoo in France in 2012 and dad came to Dublin Zoo from Rotterdam Zoo in the Netherlands.

This is the third Asian lion cub born at Dublin Zoo since May 2014. The new arrival joins the pride of five Asian lions at the Zoo, including sister Kyna and half-brother Kuno.

The births of these Asian lions are hugely significant for the international breeding programme and Dublin Zoo, with there being fewer than 350 Asian lions in the wild.

Dublin Zoo Team leader Ciaran McMahon said of the cub:

We are thrilled with our new arrival. These lions are endangered in the wild and it is important for conservation that zoos maintain a viable population of Asian lions. The female cub is settling in very well. At 10 weeks old she now weighs an estimated 5kg and has developed a strong bond with mum Sita.

Entering the competition couldn’t be easier, simply suggest a name on the Dublin Zoo website and include your contact information. The closing date to enter the competition is Friday September 4 at 12 noon. The only stipulation for names is that they be of Asian origin, like the lion herself.

To enter the competition to name this awesome cub, click here.