Zoo wants you to help name its lion cubs
PORTLAND – Voters have two more days to help name the three lion cubs born at the Oregon Zoo. The cubs, born on September 7, are the offspring of Neka and Zawadi Mangu, the cubs’ father. Each cub has two name choices.
Cub No. 7 is the smallest of the trio. She had some health problems in the beginning of her life, but is doing better. Zookeepers have two possible names for her. Kamali is the name of a spirit that protects babies from death, and Mara comes from the Maasai Mara National Reserve in Kenya.
We’re told the middle cub, Cub No. 8 is mild tempered. She’s not the biggest, not the smallest. The name choices for her are Zalika, which is Swahili for ‘well born.’ The second choice is Jelani, Swahili for ‘mighty.’
Last but not least is Cub No. 9, the largest of the bunch. Zookeepers say she’s the most outspoken of the three and is apparently more interested in food than her siblings. Her selections are Mashavu, Swahili for ‘chubby-cheeked,’ and Angalia, Swahili for ‘look out’ or ‘be careful.’
Voting is going on through Wednesday, October 23. The winning choices will be announced on Thursday.
Cub No. 7
Cub 9
Cub 8