Peoria Zoo names 4-month-old female lion cubs

PEORIA, Ill. (AP) - The Peoria Zoo has given African names to its three 4-month-old female lion cubs.

The Pekin Daily Times (http://bit.ly/1SjLPO6 ) reports that zoo staff picked three names for each cub based on their distinct personalities and the winning names were selected by public vote. The lion cubs' new names are Nia, Kali, and Zuri, which mean "brightness," ''energetic" and "beautiful," respectively.

Zoo staff say the cubs haven't changed since they were named. They say Nia is still tenacious, Kali is still protective and Zuri is still reserved.

They're expected to be on exhibit from noon to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. A new schedule of outdoor exhibit place will go into effect in May.

The cubs were born Dec. 4 to their mother Lizzy.

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Information from: Pekin Daily Times, http://www.pekintimes.com