Your morning adorable: Asiatic lion cubs explore at Zurich Zoo

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A first-time mother, lioness Joy, gave birth to two cubs in February at Switzerland’s Zurich Zoo. The cubs, named Jeevana and Jasraj, were allowed to explore their enclosure for the first time today.

Joy and her cubs are Indian lions, also called Asiatic lions. Although they’re critically endangered in the wild, the species (which is genetically distinct from African lions) is still quite famous in its native habitat and even appears on the emblem of India.

More photos after the jump!

-- Lindsay Barnett