PHOTOS: Virginia Zoo lion cubs celebrate 1st birthday

Lion cubs Granby, left, and Neka, right, were born to mother Zola and father Mramba on August 18, 2007, the first large-carnivore birth at the Virginia Zoo in 35 years. The cubs, who eat about 5 pounds of meat each day, are weighed monthly and at their August weigh-in last week Granby, the male cub, was 189 lbs. and Neka, the female, was 177 lbs. (Genevieve Ross photos | The Virginian-Pilot)

Neka, right, the female lion cub at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, celebrates her first birthday Saturday with a lion-size ice cake filled with meat and bones and topped with whipped cream.

Neka, the female lion cub at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, plays with one of her presents during the 1st birthday party for her and her brother Granby.

People gather around the lion exhibit at the Virginia Zoo in Norfolk, Saturday August 23, 2008, to celebrate during cubs' first birthday party.