3 Adorable Lion Cubs At The Lincoln Park Zoo Now Have Names

CHICAGO — The Lincoln Park Zoo’s adorable lion cubs now have names.

The lions, all males, have been named Pesho (pe-sho), Sidai (see-dye) and Lomelok (low-mey-lock), according to a Thursday zoo news release. The names were chosen in partnership with Maasai lion guardians, called Ilchokuti, who work with a zoo partner in Tanzania.

Pesho means unexpected gift, Sidai means good and Lomelok means sweet, according to the zoo. The lions — all males — were born Jan. 9.

“These are more than little lion cubs,” Sunny Nelson, vice president of Conservation and Science, said in a news release. “They represent hope for the future, a commitment to saving lions in the wild, and also the local communities who are doing this work every day.”

The cubs are still living behind the scenes at the zoo, but they’ll go public this spring, according to the zoo. Visitors will be able to see them at the Pepper Family Wildlife Center.

The lions are African lions, which can grow up to 500 pounds, according to the zoo.

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