A UK Zoo has officially named its newest litter of Northern African lion cubs, born to lioness Waka, following a month-long community naming campaign involving local schoolchildren and a public prize draw.
The four cubs at Whipsnade Zoo – Bertie, Oya, Malaika, and Kibibi – were each named through a collaborative process that saw participation from 24 schools in Luton and central Bedfordshire, as well as members of the public.
The initiative aimed to connect the local community with the zoo’s conservation efforts while raising vital funds for global wildlife protection projects.
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Prize draw winner Matthew Hampstead, from Berkhamsted who is a long-time fan of the zoo, chose two of the names. He selected “Oya” for one of the female cubs, after the African goddess of wind and lightning, and “Bertie,” in reference to Storm Bertie – a nod to the stormy conditions that accompanied the birth of both this and an earlier litter.
“I fell in love with all the animals at the zoo, but the lions were what kept me coming back,” said Matthew.
“To be able to name two of the cubs is a real honour and something I’ll always treasure.”
The remaining names, Malaika and Kibibi – meaning “Angel” and “Little Lady” in Swahili – were voted for by students from the participating schools, following a shortlist compiled by Whipsnade’s lion keepers.
Sarah McGregor, section manager of predators at Whipsnade Zoo, expressed delight at the outcome: “These cubs mean so much to our visitors, so it’s fantastic to have the local community involved in naming them.
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“As the cubs grow, their individual personalities and unique spot patterns are becoming more distinct, making it easier to tell them apart.”
The cubs are the second litter born at the zoo this year. The three older cubs, born in November to lioness Winta, will soon be named by supporters of ZSL (Zoological Society of London), the international conservation charity behind the zoo.
McGregor emphasized the significance of these births: “All seven cubs are vital to the conservation breeding programme for this threatened subspecies.
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“They are also helping us raise awareness of the challenges lions face in the wild and how people can play a role in wildlife conservation.”
Northern African lions are under increasing pressure from habitat loss, poaching, and human-wildlife conflict. As a result, wild lion populations have declined by 75%, with West Africa’s W-Arli-Pendjari conservation complex – supported by ZSL – now home to 90% of the region’s remaining lions.
This May half-term, visitors to Whipsnade Zoo can see the full pride of ten lions – as well as more than 11,000 other animals – and enjoy live appearances from CBeebies stars Mister Maker and Rebecca Keatley.
For more information or to book tickets, visit Whipsnade Zoo.
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