Tiny little roars have filled the air at Werribee Open Range Zoo following the birth of two African lion cubs.

The precious cubs were born on Valentine’s Day to eight-year-old mum Asali and nine-year-old pride male Sheru.

The arrival of the adorable pair brings the Victorian zoo’s multi-generational* pride to eight lions and marks an important milestone for the vulnerable* species.

One of the cubs got very close to the camera when it was being filmed for its first ever video. Picture: Zoos Victoria via screenshot

Werribee’s life sciences co-ordinator Ben Gulli described the cubs as tiny fluff balls with “round milk bellies” that have been bonding closely with their mum and showing strong early development.

“There is nothing cuter than a lion cub, and the whole team is so excited to see them become more curious every day, play fight with each other and curl up together when they nap,” Mr Gulli said. “Asali is being such a wonderful mum and is always grooming the cubs and keeping them tucked close by her side.”

Mother of the new lion cubs at Werribee Zoo, eight-year-old Asali. Picture: Zoos Victoria

After a three-and-a-half month long pregnancy, Asali went into a longer than normal labour and veterinarians had to make the call to deliver the cubs via a caesarean section* to ensure the safety of both mum and cubs.

She initially gave birth to an unusually large litter of six cubs, however, four sadly did not survive after failing to thrive. In the wild, only some cubs from larger litters usually survive into adulthood.

A screenshot of CCTV footage shows mother Asali bonding with her cubs. Picture: Zoos Victoria

The cubs have also been bonding with each other. Picture: Zoos Victoria via screenshot

For the next few weeks, Asali and her cubs will remain in a private den away from public view to continue important bonding time. This seclusion of mother and cubs has been set up to reflect natural wild behaviour, where lionesses seek shelter away from other lions to protect their young until they are strong enough to join the pride.

Father of the new lion cubs at Werribee Zoo, nine-year-old pride male Sheru. Picture: Zoos Victoria

“Providing Asali with a calm, secure environment allows her to raise her cubs as she would in nature, giving them the best possible start in life,” Mr Gulli said. “Soon the cubs will be introduced to the rest of the pride, which includes their father Sheru, grandmother Nilo and three half-siblings.”

The sex and names of the cubs will be announced in the coming weeks.

When the cubs are older they will join the rest of the pride. Picture: Zoos Victoria via screenshot

African lions are classified as vulnerable on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List*, with as few as 23,000 remaining in the wild across sub-Saharan* Africa. Their numbers have declined significantly due to habitat* loss and conflict with humans. Werribee Open Range Zoo is part of the Australasian breeding and conservation program to help secure the future of the species. Zoo members and visitors can check on the zoo’s website for updates on the cubs’ first public appearance.