Lion triplets are new stars at Germany's Gelsenkirchen zoo

A zoo in western Germany's Gelsenkirchen has revealed the hotly anticipated names of three new arrivals: lion cub triplets, reported dpa.

Five months after they were born, the zoo announced that the triplets were three female cubs: Jamila, Kumani and Malaika.

The star trio were presented to the public along with their mother Fiona on Monday morning at the Zoom Erlebniswelt Gelsenkirchen, near the city of Essen.

The 30-hectare zoo bills itself as Europe's first to try and simulate a nearly natural environment for the animals, and keeps 900 animals from 100 species.

"This is already a special event," said the Gelsenkirchen mayor, Karin Welge.

Fiona and her sister arrived at Gelsenkichen from Kolmarden zoo in Sweden.

The father of the triplets, Bantu, is being kept separated from his offspring for another few weeks, and can only see them through a glass panel.