NC Zoo names lion cubs

ASHEBORO, NC (WWAY) — Four lion cubs at the North Carolina Zoo now have names.

Nearly 2,000 names were submitted in a contest the zoo launched last month. Names submitted had to relate to places in Africa, the natural habitat or natural abilities of lions or the culture of people in African countries where lions are natives.

Zoo keepers picked the winners of the contest. They decided to name the female cubs Savanna and Lololi and the male cubs Khari and Kirabo. The cubs are now three months old.

Savanna refers to the grasslands in Africa, Lololi means there is always love, Khari means kingly and Kirabo means gift from God.

The winners of the contest are: Katie Mills of Greensboro, Rilee Cowan of Holly Ridge, Julie Higgins of Greensboro and Kim Currin of Oxford. They will receive four free zoo tickets and a lion themed gift bag with items from the zoo’s gift shops. If more than one person submitted the same name chosen as a winner, a drawing was held to determine the winner. All the winners will be notified when they can pick up their prizes.

Savanna, Lololi, Khari and Kirabo are on exhibit at the zoo and can be seen daily with their mother Mekita and father Reilly.