The Garden City Telegram
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Public helps name lion cubs
Published 6/26/2009 in Local News
By The Telegram
The new lion cubs now nearing 4 months old at Lee Richardson Zoo have been named through the suggestions of cub fans from all over southwest Kansas: Dinari, Kamaia and Kianga.
The contest, which allowed people to submit names for a small donation to the new Cat Canyon exhibit, garnered 131 names and raised nearly $500.
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Courtesy Photo — The lion cubs at Lee Richardson Zoo now have names, thanks to suggestions from all over southwest Kansas and beyond. The cubs, now nearly 4 months old, will be called Dinari, Kamaia and Kianga.
Submissions were received from people in 13 Kansas towns and from as far away as Illinois, Texas, Oklahoma and Massachusetts.
Kianga, meaning "burst of sunshine," was submitted by Linda Doll of Garden City. Keepers describe the female cub as being the most adventurous of the three and she also can be distinguished by her narrower face and slimmer build, said Kathy Sexson, director of the zoo.
Kamaia, meaning "son of the sun god," and Dinari, meaning "our shining star," were the names selected for the male cubs, submitted by Brian Gilbert of Lakin and Debra Bolton of Garden City, respectively.
Kamaia is a bit more laid back than his sister, but more daring than his brother Dinari, and prefers being outside even when it's dinner time, Sexson said.
Dinari is the most reserved of the three cubs and likes to stay close to his mother, Amali, plays a bit less than his siblings, and is more cautious and a bit plumper, Sexson added.
A small committee of zoo staff, including the lion keepers, narrowed the 131 names to about two dozen.
The whole zoo staff then voted for their three favorites, narrowing the list to about a dozen names, from which the original committee selected the three winners.
Winners will receive a special gift from the Safari Shoppe and a behind-the-scenes tour of the lion exhibit.
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