NORFOLK — The Virginia Zoo says its new lion cub needs a name and they want your help to choose one that will meet with “roaring” applause.
The zoo is holding a naming contest for the male cub, who was born on Oct. 28 to his 13-year-old mom, Zola, and dad, Mramba, inside of Zola’s indoor den.
This soon-to-be “King of Beasts” weighed three pounds, five ounces at birth and is now six weeks old and weighs about 12 pounds.
Zoo staff say the “fuzzy and vocal” cub likes to climb in and out of his nest box, enjoys chasing his mom’s tail and has been exploring his enclosure with great curiosity.
Zola and the cub remain in their dens, but the zoo is posting photos, videos and updates on their Facebook and Instagram pages. The cub must continue to grow, receive vaccinations and strengthen his immune system before going out on exhibit.
The naming contest began Dec. 11, and will run until noon on Dec. 22.
Participants can submit a name to the contest by paying $1. Each subsequent vote for a name is $1.
The name with the most votes wins and will be announced on Christmas morning.
By submitting and voting on cub names, the zoo says you’ll be helping to save lions in Africa.
The Virginia Zoo says it will donate 100 percent of the naming contest proceeds to the Pride Lion Conservation Alliance, which leads efforts in four key lion ranges, researching and protecting 20 percent of Africa’s existing wild lion population.
Lions are considered vulnerable to extinction, according to the International Union for the Conservation of Nature. The population has dipped by 43 percent over the last 20 years, down to less than 30,000 lions in the wild.
“Now is your chance to name the cub and help to secure a future for all lions,” said Greg Bockheim, executive director of the Virginia Zoo.
For more information, visit the zoo’s website.
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