They're delightful, they're important and they need names!

Keepers at Marwell Zoo, near Winchester, are searching for names for three very special little animals.

Triplet Amur tigers were born at Marwell late in 2004 to Yenna.

The feisty cubs were recently sexed as two males and one female and can be seen with Yenna and their father, Gamin.

The three cubs are important because they are from a species which is close to extinction with fewer than 400 remaining in the wild.

Marwell is now on the lookout for names and is inviting suggestions.

A spokesman said: "To name three of these animals is a special opportunity, as the names will go into the studbooks and remain with them all their lives.

"Stripy, Tiger and Garfield probably wouldn't be the kind of thing the zoo is looking for. Their names should be in keeping with their rare status," she added.

All names submitted will be considered by Marwell's cat keepers.

And if your names are chosen, Marwell will invite you to meet the keepers.

In the wild, Amur tigers come from North Korea, North-east China and eastern Russia. They are poached for their body parts for medicine, for their fur and for food. Their habitats are also being destroyed.

Send your name suggestions on a postcard to Tiger Cubs, Marwell Zoological Park, Colden Common, Winchester, SO21 1JH, adding your name and address. You may also submit names by e-mail to publicity@marwell.org.uk