New lion babies go on display in Paris zoo

Two of the three cubs stand during their first walk outside, Friday, June 26, 2015 at the Vincennes zoo in Paris, France. The three cubs were born on April 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) (The Associated Press)

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The three cubs Atlas, Kibo, and Shani play during their first walk outside, Friday, June 26, 2015 at the Vincennes zoo in Paris, France. The three cubs were born on April 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) (The Associated Press)

Female African lion (Panthera leo) Aswad stands with two of her three cubs for their first walk outside, Friday, June 26, 2015 at the Vincennes zoo in Paris, France. The three cubs were born on April 22, 2015. (AP Photo/Michel Euler) (The Associated Press)

PARIS – A French zoo has debuted its latest stars, unveiling three baby lions to the public for the first time.

Atlas, Kibo and Shanti — two males and a female — are a rare breed that resembles the Asian Lion but is a subspecies of the now-extinct Barbary Lion, once native to North Africa.

Born April 22, the cubs were the first recorded lion births at the Paris zoo since 1989.

The animals took the attention in stride, running alongside their mother as she ate sheep flesh when they were exposed to the public Friday. The cubs nibbled on grass, but showed signs that they will soon upgrade to meat, said veterinarian Alexis Lecu.

The cubs were named based on tallies from a Facebook vote.