The Denver Zoo welcomed four healthy African lion cubs Wednesday.

African lion Araali gave birth to the cubs following a 115-day pregnancy and almost 18 hours of labor, the Denver Zoo Conservation Alliance announced.

The new litter of lion cubs marks four generations born at DZCA in the last decade, an exciting milestone, the zoo official said.

Araali was born at DZCA in 2020 and the father, Usiku, arrived in 2016 from the Lee Richardson Zoo in Garden City, Kan.

The Association of Zoos and Aquariums’ African Lion Species Survival Plan recommended the pair for breeding last year due to their compatible genetics and demeanors, according to the zoo.

Besides caring for generations of lions within its own walls, DZCA also supports conservation efforts for wild populations to help protect the lion population located in Uganda’s Queen Elizabeth National Park. DZCA helps the organization to monitor the local lion population there and conduct an annual census.

“We are so excited for the birth of these lion cubs and to see Araali already becoming a great mother. Watching Araali grow up here at DZCA makes this event even more special. With successful (and sweet) introductions with Usiku, a male from our lion brother coalition, this matchup was recommended in 2024 to support the African lion population in human care,” said Assistant Curator of Carnivores, Katelyn Stache.

“The team has been monitoring for signs of labor over the last two weeks and consistently checking in on Araali via camera throughout that time. Now that the cubs are here, we are enjoying listening to their noises and watching Araali as she navigates caring for all of them.”

A zoo official said that Araali and her babies are bonding well, and will remain behind the scenes for six weeks while they get their vaccinations and neo-natal examinations.

This time allows for the cubs and their mother to adjust before being introduced to other females in the pride.

In the meantime, mama and her cubs will be livestreamed in the Pahali ya Simba, the indoor area of the zoo’s Predator Ridge, and the maternity yard and shared online for viewers to enjoy, DZCA said.