Lion cubs celebrate first birthday with party piñata

Four lion cubs have marked their first birthday by ripping into a very special piñata and cake.

Video showed Ndidi, Aziza, Zuberi and Kibibi sinking their sharp teeth into the colourful presents at Werribee Open Range Zoo this morning.

The two males and two females were the second litter to be born at the zoo, and have developed “incredibly” over the past 12 months, the zoo said.

“(It’s) been a real journey and it is very exciting to have the whole pride together,” keeper Katherine Quinn said.

Ms Quinn said the cubs are now relishing their roles are “mentors” for their four-month-old half-brothers and sisters, Asali, Ilola, Ato and Lwazi.

She added that the young lions are important ambassadors for their species, which is under serious threat as a result of habitat loss.

It's estimated that there may be as few as 20,000 lions remaining in the wild.