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Updated 12/12/14 3:10 p.m.

OKLAHOMA CITY– The Oklahoma City Zoo’s now 5-week-old African wild dog pups now have names!

The litter of puppies was rejected by their mother after they were born on November 7, 2014, so they were put into the care of a golden retriever by the name of Lilly.

According to Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, the puppies names were chosen to pay tribute to their surrogate mother and their African heritage.

From right to left, their names are Ayana, Zahra, and Maji.

Here is the pronunciation and meaning for each of the African names:

Ayana (Uh-yawn-uh) – beautiful flower.

Zahra (Zaw-ruh) – flowering.

Maji, short for Maji lily (Maw-zhee) – water lily.

The wild dog pups are being raised alongside Lilly’s biological puppy, Uno (seen on the far left in the thumbnail photo.)

The Zoo also says that all of the dogs are spending play time outside when weather permits.

And in preparation to be released back into the wild, the pups are reportedly taking safaris to visit their adult pack during good weather.

This allows for the pups and the adults to become acquainted with each other’s sight and smell while keeping barriers and distance between them.

Animal behavior will help decide when the time is right to reunite .

OKLAHOMA CITY – After being rejected by their mother, a litter of African Wild Dogs born at the Oklahoma City Zoo have found a new surrogate mother.

According to the Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden, a golden retriever named Lilly is helping save the litter of endangered African Wild Dogs.

Zoo officials say the puppies, one male and two females, were born Friday, November 7, 2014 to Xena, an inexperienced mother.

When Xena showed lack of maternal care towards the puppies, the animal care team made the decision to remove them.

“In preparation for this birth, we have been monitoring Xena 24/7 by video. We know that she is an unproven mother and wanted to be ready to intervene if necessary,” said Laura Bottaro, animal curator. “We are hopeful that these dogs will thrive in Lilly’s care and when they reach an appropriate age for socialization we will be able to successfully reintroduce them to their pack.”

Lilly is a retired search and rescue dog from Wichita, Kansas.

According to the Oklahoma City Zoo, Lilly recently gave birth to a single puppy that is being raised alongside the African Wild Dog pups.

Officials say the puppies are doing well and will remain under veterinary care and out of public view at the Oklahoma City Zoo’s animal hospital.

After being rejected by their mother, a litter of African Wild Dogs born at the Oklahoma City Zoo have found a new surrogate mother. Courtesy: Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden

Courtesy: Oklahoma City Zoo and Botanical Garden