New baby lion at Denver Zoo named after Denver resident, Guion the lion.

Guion the Lion is a Denver resident, a book and now, a real lion at the Denver Zoo.

Something magical has happened in our city, and it’s a story that celebrates everything we love about Denver: community, creativity, and embracing what makes each of us unique.

The Denver Zoo recently announced the names of their four African lion cubs born on August 13, 2025, to parents Araali and Usiko. The male cub has been named Guion — and the story behind that name will warm your heart.

Many of you know the beloved children’s book Guion The Lion, written by Colorado author Rebecca Wilson Macsovits. This beautiful story celebrates differences and encourages empathy, inspired by Rebecca’s son Guion, who has Down syndrome. Now, that fictional lion has a real-life namesake roaming Predator Ridge.

Guion is someone I’m blessed to call my friend. He’s a remarkable young man who attends Regis University — friendly, funny, an incredible dancer, and capable of more push-ups than anyone I know. A couple summers ago, I had the joy of traveling to Romania with Guion and his family for a friend’s birthday. He’s surrounded by a wonderful mom, dad, and siblings who have always championed his unique perspective.

When Guion learned a Denver Zoo lion cub would carry his name, he said, “I kind of reacted surprisingly when I found out they named the lion after me.”

According to the zoo, Guion the cub is the lightest in color and stockiest of the group, already around 90 pounds. He’s starting to grow a little mohawk and hair on his cheeks — early signs of the magnificent mane he’ll one day have. The zoo describes him as “a pretty chill guy” who loves playing with sticks and finds comfort in mom Araali when his three sisters — Alpine Lily, Olive, and Poppy — get to be too much.

Rebecca wrote Guion The Lion with an important message: “Change the way you look at things, and the things you look at change.” Seeing the world differently isn’t a limitation — it’s a gift. Now that message of acceptance and celebrating differences lives on through a playful lion cub who will delight Denver families for years to come.

Next time you visit the Denver Zoo, stop by Predator Ridge to meet Guion and his sisters. And if you haven’t read Guion The Lion, it’s the perfect book to share with the little ones in your life.

See Guion and his family meet the baby lions here.