Photos: Lion cubs, baby Komodo dragons are fruits of Denver Zoo matchmaking labor

This week's cover story, "Beauty of the Beasts," delves into the world of animal sex -- and explains how zookeepers carefully match captive animals to ensure that future generations are healthy and sustainable (read: not inbred). The Denver Zoo is home to the official matchmakers for all African lions and...

By Melanie Asmar

February 18, 2014

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This week's cover story, "Beauty of the Beasts," delves into the world of animal sex -- and explains how zookeepers carefully match captive animals to ensure that future generations are healthy and sustainable (read: not inbred). The Denver Zoo is home to the official matchmakers for all African lions and all Komodo dragons in the 222 zoos that belong to the Association of Zoos and Aquariums. As professional Cupids, it's their job to oversee the creation of effing adorable baby lions and less-fluffy-but-still-pretty-cute baby dragons. See photos below! Continue to see photos of baby lions! Continue to see more baby lion photos!

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Melanie Asmar is a staff writer for Westword. She joined the paper in 2009 and has won awards for her stories about education, immigration and epic legal battles. Got a tip? She'd love to hear it.

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