Four furry lion cubs have made a cautious maiden public appearance, eight weeks after being born at a Victorian zoo.

Under the watchful eye of mum Nilo, Werribee Open Range Zoo’s newest pawed members joined the rest of the lion pack for the first time on Wednesday.

The healthy litter – the third born at the zoo since 2015 – of two males and two females, got a small taste of the media spotlight before the start of their public display this weekend.

Environment Minister Lily D’Ambrosio was on hand to meet the eight-week-old cubs, saying they were a blessing given the species’ population challenges amid habitat destruction and poaching.

“Lions at the zoo play an important role helping people understand how vulnerable their wild counterparts are,” she said.

The zoo has asked the public to help name each adorable cub, with visitors choosing from eight shortlisted African-inspired titles over the next two weeks.

-AAP