Ohio zoo's new lion cubs are male and two females

COLUMBUS (AP) — It’s a boy and two girls for an African lion who gave birth at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium two weeks ago.

Zookeepers say a veterinarian doing a checkup discovered the cubs’ sex this week. The zoo says they’re a healthy trio, weighing between 5.7 pounds and 6.7 pounds.

Zoo spokeswoman Patty Peters says the rights to name the little lions will be auctioned at a fundraiser this weekend. She says the zoo has the right to refuse any name.

The offspring born to first-time mother Asali are the first African lion cubs born at the Columbus Zoo in nearly a quarter century. Their father, Tomo, also lives at the zoo.

Peters says with cold weather coming, it may be spring before the cubs can be put out on display.