Cubs have pride of place.

TWO rare lion cubs who were born at London Zoo took their first steps in their new enclosure, as their mother looked on with pride.

The 10-week-old un-named cats are the son and daughter of Lucifer, six, and Abi, 10, who was the last Asian lion to be born at the zoo.

Malcolm Fitzpatrick, curator of mammals at ZSL London Zoo, said the little lions had already started to form their own personalities.

He said: "Left to their own devices these two youngsters would be running all over the place. The young male is especially adventurous."

Like many siblings the mischievous pair squabble, and their keepers have spotted them playing tug-of-war with their food.

As they roamed around their new moated paddock, their mother was ever-watchful.

"Their mother Abi is very protective," said Mr Fitzpatrick.

Keepers came up with their father's unusual name when he arrived at the zoo in 2004. His registration number at his previous zoo was 666, the Devil's number.

Lucifer has not been introduced properly to his cubs yet.

The curator said: "We wanted to make sure the youngsters were vaccinated and had a chance to explore the enclosure before we introduced him."

CAPTION(S):

NEW ARRIVALS...the un-named lion cubs explore their new enclosure at London Zoo, and (below) with their mother.