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2-Year-Old Lion Brothers Set To Make Debut At Pittsburgh Zoo

PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- It promises to be a rip roaring good time over at the Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium this weekend as two new lion cubs make their debut to the public.

According to zoo officials, Ajani and Razi arrived in Pittsburgh back in August from the Virginia Zoological Park. The 2-year-old brothers were born at the Norfolk Zoo to parents Zola and Mramba.

Both cubs, weighing close to 400 pounds each, have been spending time getting to know their new home, keepers and the other female lions ahead of their big public debut on Saturday.

In a press release, says Kathy Suthard, lead carnivore keeper at the zoo said: "They are so enormous they make Mhina, Shiba, and Kaidi, our adult female lions, look tiny. But they still act like cubs. They play and chase each other around. We can't wait to hear them roar to announce their arrival when they get outside."

Zoo officials say the brothers are pure bred, "which means that their blood lines can be traced back to a distinct region of Africa."

Officials at the zoo say Ajani, whose name means "he fights for possession," is confident and likes to explore while Razi, whose name means "secret," likes to watch first and then decide whether to join in.

The brothers will take turns in the lion yard with the three female lions.

RELATED LINKS:
Pittsburgh Zoo & PPG Aquarium
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